Joshua Uche Saw ‘Telltale Sign’ Patriots Trade Was Coming

Joshua Uche arrived in Kansas City this week, and the former Patriots pass rusher was excited to show what he could do.

New England traded the 26-year-old to the Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. It was a controversial trade given the fifth-year linebacker’s upside and the strange return the Patriots received. However, the franchise felt it was time to move on and get something of value in return.

“Sunday came around and they told me I was a healthy scratch. That was a telltale sign something was up,” Uche told reporters Thursday, per a team-provided video. “I kinda didn’t want to look too much into it, but the following day, I got a call from Elliot Wolf that I had been traded to Kansas City. From there, things kinda picked up really fast and now I’m here.”

Uche recorded 20.5 sacks in his five-year Patriots career, and he expressed excitement to join Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, who should open up more sack opportunities for him. Uche was a respected player in the New England locker room, and he didn’t offer a bad remark about his time in Foxboro, Mass.

“Being in New England for five years, obviously I didn’t have the results or the outcomes I wanted,” Uche said. “But I went back to New England. I loved the coaches there, everyone there and just trying to do my best to help keep the ship afloat. I wanted to get the most juice out of the game that I possibly could. When I heard I was getting traded here, I was excited because I feel like this scheme, this team, this organization is definitely going to help me maximize my potential, being 26 years old. I’m just excited.”

Uche practiced this week, but his status for Monday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be up to the coaching staff.