The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs weren’t performed wheeling and dealing forward of the NFL commerce deadline. After shifting to 7-0 with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, the Chiefs spent Monday morning working the telephones, buying and selling a 2026 sixth spherical choose for New England Patriots go rusher Josh Uche.
It’s a reasonably shrewd transfer for the Pats, contemplating Uche was near being moved for a Day 2 choose final 12 months however now goes for a Day 3 choose for the draft after this upcoming one. Uche and the Chiefs are a fantastic match each for the participant and what Kansas Metropolis wants alongside their defensive entrance.
Whereas the Chiefs are nonetheless one of many NFL’s prime defensive models, they’re solely round league common in ESPN’s Cross Rush Win Fee (14th earlier than the win on Sunday). As well as, whereas Kansas Metropolis is seventh in Strain Fee, their sack charge is twenty ninth in the whole NFL. They’re bringing strain and getting wins up entrance, however can’t convey QBs down. Uche is a special physique kind than the Chiefs at the moment have on the sting, being bendier and successful with burst and velocity slightly than powering straight via the chest of opposing tackles. His potential towards the run is a piece in progress, however with what Kansas Metropolis traded for him, this appears to be a transfer made to get a chosen go rusher.
The transfer coincides on the excellent time for Kansas Metropolis, who additionally will get EDGE Charles Omenihu again from damage quickly. Bringing each these guys in for this protection will give them extra depth and layers to their go rush, which is precisely what’s wanted come playoff time.
For New England, that is simply one other means of shifting off a participant that greater than probably wasn’t going to remain round for a very long time. Uche was on a one 12 months deal that expired on the finish of this season, so that is primarily getting a 2026 late spherical choose again for a rental of a former participant. As New England continues to set the muse for his or her rebuild, stockpiling draft picks is the best way to go.
This can be a win-win for each side.