Pass-rusher Josh Uche has agreed to a one-year contract to return to the New England Patriots, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday.
The 2020 second-round draft choice out of Michigan had suitors at last season’s trade deadline before ultimately staying in New England. He had a career year in 2022 with 11.5 sacks but was limited to just three sacks in 2023.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Uche, 25, appeared in 15 regular-season games last season and averaged 22 defensive snaps in those contests, reflecting how he would usually play in obvious passing situations.
Over his four-year career, Uche has appeared in 51 regular-season games, with three starts. He has amassed 63 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery, while being credited with 31 quarterback hits.
Veteran linebacker Matthew Judon, who has totaled more sacks than any Patriots player over the past three seasons, had referred to Uche as the team’s most gifted pass-rusher. When Uche put together his career year in 2022, he was often paired with Judon in pass-rushing situations — and he seemed to miss having Judon in 2023 after Judon suffered a season-ending torn biceps injury in Week 4.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss contributed to this report.
