Patriots re-sign linebacker Josh Uche to 1-year deal

Josh Uche has made it clear that he wants to play for the new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, and New England has made that happen.  NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Patriots have agreed to terms with Uche on a one-year deal. He also reportedly had "much more on the table elsewhere," but […]

Sophie Weller NFL Trending News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) celebrates after getting a sack against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Allegiant Stadium
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Uche has made it clear that he wants to play for the new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, and New England has made that happen. 

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Patriots have agreed to terms with Uche on a one-year deal. He also reportedly had "much more on the table elsewhere," but decided to stick around for the changes in New England. 

Ian Rapoport adds that "Josh Uche wanted to return more than anything else."

"He’d be a coach I want to play for," Uche told MassLive's Mark Daniels about Mayo. "I’d run through a wall for him. I love players’ coaches… I’m all in on Mayo."

Uche finished the 2022 season, with a career high 11.5 sacks 27 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. In 2023, he was sidelined a bit due to injury and because of that, his numbers didn't show how effective he truly can be. 

But he wants a chance to continue to grow with the team that gave him his first shot. The Patriots selected Uche in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. 

The linebacker spoke with AtoZ Sports in December about free agency and how his mindset was going into this uncertain time. 

And he had one goal with whatever team he was going to sign with. 

“I just want to be somewhere where I’m wanted," he said. "I mean, at the end of the day, somewhere where (I’m) appreciated and all those good things. But at the end of the day, I just want to win, I want to contribute, I want to do whatever it takes to help my team win. And wherever that may be, whether it be here, there, anywhere, I just want to play ball.”

It seems he sees that possibility with the Patriots. 

Uche's is set to sign a 1-year, $3 million deal with the possibility of getting $8 million with incentives.