Ex-Patriots Defender Posts Goodbye to NE on Instagram After Trade

After being a healthy scratch for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, the New England Patriots traded veteran pass rusher Joshua Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. 

Uche’s name has been floated as a trade candidate for the last two years and the Patriots finally parted ways. The Patriots reportedly received a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Uche. The former second-round pick struggled to replicate his 2022 season, where he had 11.5 sacks (career-high).

The 26-year-old linebacker only recorded three sacks last season in New England but decided to re-sign with the Patriots this past season on a one-year, $3 million deal. This season with the Pats, Uche had 13 combined tackles, five quarterback pressures, three quarterback hits, and two sacks.

On Monday, the former Patriots pass rusher took to social media to thank the fanbase. Uche posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the caption “Thank you, NE with praying hands emoji and #TTP” (h/t Bernd Buchmasser).

Uche’s former teammates responded to his Instagram post, telling him to be great and ball out with his new team.

While Uche didn’t become a star in New England, he significantly impacted his teammates, which is all that matters at the end of the day.

The former Patriots defender will look to try and help the Chiefs make another Super Bowl run and hopefully secure a multi-year contract in Kansas City or another team this offseason. Pats fans will be watching to see what he does.

More Patriots news and analysis: