In 2022, Josh Uche was one of the New England Patriots' best pass-rushers, racking up a career-high 11.5 sacks with 14 quarterback hits. Two years later, the Patriots traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs for the paltry return of a 2026 sixth-round pick.
So, what changed in that span? Head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters after Sunday's win over the New York Jets that Uche was a healthy scratch because Mayo wanted to put the best players on the field. But more than any decline in performance, Uche's exit appeared to be more about a lack of fit between player and scheme.