The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs weren’t finished wheeling and dealing forward of the NFL commerce deadline. After transferring 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 cross 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 terrific 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 Go Rush Win Price (14th earlier than the win on Sunday). As well as, whereas Kansas Metropolis is seventh in Strain Price, their sack fee is twenty ninth in all the NFL. They’re bringing strain and getting wins up entrance, however can’t convey QBs down. Uche is a special physique sort than the Chiefs at present have on the sting, being bendier and profitable with burst and velocity relatively than powering straight by the chest of opposing tackles. His capability in opposition to 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 delegated cross rusher.
The transfer coincides on the good 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 cross rush, which is strictly what’s wanted come playoff time.
For New England, that is simply one other method of transferring off a participant that greater than seemingly 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 basically getting a 2026 late spherical choose again for a rental of a former participant. As New England continues to set the inspiration for his or her rebuild, stockpiling draft picks is the way in which to go.
This can be a win-win for either side.