10 Patriots Entering Their Final Season With New England

3. Josh Uche, LB

The Pats were already prepared for the possibility of losing linebacker Josh Uche this offseason after not agreeing to a new deal with the former second-round pick. Uche then tested the waters in free agency, and he saw legitimate interest across the league.

Yet, Uche ultimately decided to re-sign with the Patriots, much to everyone's surprise. Especially since he admitted he turned down more money elsewhere to stick around.

While Uche's sacrifice is nice, it's hard to imagine he does that a second year in a row. NFL players have such a short window to maximize their earnings that not cashing in when a sizable offer arises is foolish.

There's also the element that New England didn't see Uche as a priority to lock down before free agency. Considering Mayo's defensive background, it speaks volumes about how the new regime feels about Uche's potential.

Uche declining short-term money shows that he has his sights set on a bigger payday as well in 2025. He would've made serious bank if he was a free agent right after his 11.5-sack campaign in 2022, instead of right after a measly 3.0 sacks last season. By taking a one-year deal with the Pats, the linebacker gets another chance to impress the rest of the league and boost his stock before next offseason's negotiations.

So while Uche's return is a nice story, it's clear where things are headed once this season concludes.