Joshua Uche trade grades: Who won the Chiefs-Patriots deal?

The Kansas City Chiefs have added yet another veteran to the roster via trade to bolster its inevitable playoff push.

After adding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins last week, the team reportedly traded a late 2026 pick on Monday for New England Patriots outside linebacker Joshua Uche.

The former Michigan player is in his fifth year as a pro and adds yet another rotational edge rusher to Kansas City’s excellent defense.

While it may just be a rental, the Chiefs are now better equipped to get after the quarterback in pursuit of their quest for a third straight Super Bowl.

Let’s break down the deal and who came out ahead between these two teams.

Patriots trading pass rusher Josh Uche to Chiefs for a 2026 6th-round pick. (via @RapSheet + @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/to84SIXss0

— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024

Terms of the deal: 

Chiefs receive: OLB Joshua Uche

Patriots receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

Chiefs grade 

This is a “why not?” move for an undefeated Kansas City team that hasn’t even reached its potential yet. Uche has two sacks this season, but he reached 11.5 sacks in a breakout 2022 campaign before falling back to Earth in 2023 (three sacks). Having a player like Uche coming off the bench is exactly what contending teams want. Sending over a low-round pick in 2026 is a no-brainer to make your pass-rushing group even just a little bit better. Winning teams make winning moves, and this is just great business for Kansas City. If Uche can make any impact to help bring home a title, this is a great move. Even if he walks in 2025 as a free agent, the impact is worth the draft pick.

Trade grade: A

Patriots grade 

The Patriots are 2-6 and aren’t going to factor into the postseason discussion unless a major turnaround is in store. Uche was on an expiring contract and didn’t seem to factor into New England’s future at the position. You do wonder if the team could have gotten a better pick, but there’s really no use in playing hypotheticals. It’s a really smart bet for Kansas City, and it’s a mindful move for New England about where it is right now. If you want to quibble about whether the Pats could’ve gotten a fifth-rounder instead of a sixth-rounder, that’s fine. However, this is what rebuilding teams do.

Trade grade: B+