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

The Kansas City Chiefs person added yet different seasoned to nan roster via waste and acquisition to bolster its inevitable playoff push.

After adding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins past week, nan squad reportedly traded a precocious 2026 pick connected Monday for New England Patriots extracurricular linebacker Joshua Uche.

The erstwhile Michigan subordinate is successful his 5th twelvemonth arsenic a pro and adds yet different rotational separator rusher to Kansas City’s fantabulous defense.

While it whitethorn conscionable beryllium a rental, nan Chiefs are now amended equipped to get aft nan backmost successful pursuit of their quest for a 3rd consecutive Super Bowl.

Let’s break down nan woody and who came retired up betwixt these 2 teams.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1850945132872573115

Terms of nan deal: 

Chiefs receive: OLB Joshua Uche

Patriots receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

Chiefs grade 

This is simply a “why not?” move for an undefeated Kansas City squad that hasn’t moreover reached its imaginable yet. Uche has 2 sacks this season, but he reached 11.5 sacks successful a breakout 2022 run earlier falling backmost to Earth successful 2023 (three sacks). Having a subordinate for illustration Uche coming disconnected nan chair is precisely what contending teams want. Sending complete a low-round prime successful 2026 is simply a no-brainer to make your pass-rushing group moreover conscionable a small spot better. Winning teams make winning moves, and this is conscionable awesome business for Kansas City. If Uche tin make immoderate effect to thief bring location a title, this is simply a awesome move. Even if he walks successful 2025 arsenic a free agent, nan effect is worthy nan draught pick.

Trade grade: A

Patriots grade 

The Patriots are 2-6 and aren’t going to facet into nan postseason chat unless a awesome turnaround is successful store. Uche was connected an expiring statement and didn’t look to facet into New England’s early astatine nan position. You do wonderment if nan squad could person gotten a amended pick, but there’s really nary usage successful playing hypotheticals. It’s a really smart stake for Kansas City, and it’s a mindful move for New England astir wherever it is correct now. If you want to quibble astir whether nan Pats could’ve gotten a fifth-rounder alternatively of a sixth-rounder, that’s fine. However, this is what rebuilding teams do.

Trade grade: B+