Josh Uche is one of the players the Patriots have prioritised keeping around this summer.
The fifth-year edge rusher had the option to explore his options in free agency, but he decided to sign a one-year contract in 2024 to stay in New England.
Although Uche, 25, had more lucrative offers from outside bidders, he chose to play on a $3MM base contract as a prove-it player. He has the potential to earn up to $8MM in incentives, and fulfilling them would make him a desirable free agent in 2025. It’s possible that Uche changed representation in light of that.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the former Michigan player now represents Drew Rosenhaus. At the beginning of his career, Rosenhaus represented him; however, by the time he signed his one-year contract with the Patriots, that had changed.
Ahead of a 2024 campaign that will have a substantial financial impact on Uche, a return to Rosenhaus has now occurred. With 11.5 sacks, the former second-round pick had a breakout year in 2022.
However, he continued to be a rotational player in the previous campaign, and his output in the pass rush decreased (three sacks, fifteen pressures). With snap shares ranging from 30% to 38% in each of his Patriots seasons, Uche has not matured into a potent run defender at the NFL level. It will be fascinating to see whether Jerod Mayo gives him more responsibility this season.
Uche attracted a lot of interest before the 2023 trade deadline, and the Patriots were very close to making a deal. Later on, he expressed his desire to stay in New England, and for at least another season, that is exactly what will happen.
It would be interesting to see how Uche performs as an upcoming free agent for the second time in his career. He will likely approach a new team or another deal with the Patriots with a well-known agent in tow.
