Joshua Uche sounds ready to 'keep this thing rolling' with Chiefs after trade

Earlier this week, the Kansas City Chiefs added their second player before the NFL’s trade deadline of November 5, a bit surprising in total number considering that Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has been one-and-done in past seasons—if he’s made any deals at all.

After acquiring wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans five days prior, Veach turned his attention to the defensive side to pour gasoline on an already effective pass rush with the swap for Joshua Uche of the New England Patriots. Uche had been on the trade block as the Pats’ season had tanked and the Chiefs flipped a 2026 sixth-round pick for the rights to employ him.

For Uche, the trade provides his first change of scenery at the NFL level after four-plus seasons in New England. The Patriots drafted Uche in the second round in the 2020 NFL Draft and then re-signed him for a single season this year as he hoped a prove-it deal would enhance his market standing.

Joshua Uche had his introductory press conference on Thursday.

On Thursday, the Chiefs introduced Uche after practice to the media as they prepare for a primetime game on Monday Night Football in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started his press conference by explaining when he learned he'd been traded away.

"Sunday came around, and they told me I was a healthy scratch. You know, that kind of was a tell-tale sign something was up. You know, I kind of didn't want to look too much into it," said Uche. But the following day, I got a call from Elliot Wolf that I had been traded to Kansas City and from there, things kind of picked up really fast."

While Uche might miss the familiarity of Foxborough, the good news is that he’s going to add the chance to learn from Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo to his resume while helping the defending Super Bowl champs chase a third consecutive title. Uche was quick to both of those things.

"I'm playing with Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Andy Reid, Travis Kelce. I'm playing with some of the greatest guys in the league right now," said Uche when asked about his initial thoughts. "And I'm just trying to get in where I fit in and help keep this thing rolling."

Uche comes to the Chiefs with an impressive 13 pressures and a 17.2 pass rush win rate (Chris Jones is at 18.5). His arrival gives the Chiefs an impressive speed element outside compared with more power rushers like George Karlaftis. Given his timing, however, Uche says it's a "coach's decision" as to how much he'll be on the field in Week 9.

As for playing for Spags and defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Uche was asked what he knew about the Chiefs' defensive coordinator coming in.

"Yeah, he's one of the legends in the league. You know, just from all the different schemes he runs, blitzes, pressures, you name it. I mean, yeah, he's definitely a legend around the league. And I mean, seeing him up close and personal day in, day out right now is like, I don't know, still doesn't feel real. Just yeah, it'll hit me soon, though."