Instant analysis of Patriots trading Joshua Uche to Chiefs

The rich got richer and the bread got even richer after the New England Patriots traded linebacker Joshua Uche to the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Monday.

Uche being moved isn’t half as surprising as the small return the Patriots got for his services on the market. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs only parted with a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to add the talented pass rusher to their already elite defensive unit.

That might annoy fans, but the truth is the Patriots don’t make decisions from the position of a winning football team. They’re a rebuilding team looking to get everything they can for a player they didn’t even expect to get this season.

Uche turned down far more lucrative offers to stay in New England with a one-year extension. Having to wait until 2026 to get a return on the trade isn’t ideal, but the Patriots made sure they didn’t walk away empty-handed.

Uche was a great addition to the team, but the defense is more than capable of moving forward without him. Anfernee Jennings has proven to be a more complete player, especially in defense against runs on the edge. The Patriots also have their new stud pass rusher, Keion White, along with second-year linebacker Ochaun Mathis, who could be featured more as a rotational piece.

As far as the Chiefs are concerned, this move should be considered a major steal. They acquired a capable pass rusher at an absurdly discounted price. Uche re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year, $3 million deal in the offseason.

Now he wants to play for the undefeated Chiefs at the same price. General manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid continue to play chess while everyone else plays checkers.