Last October, New England reportedly came close to finalizing a trade involving Josh Uche, but he ultimately remained with the team, finishing out his rookie contract.
The 26-year-old, like several other Patriots players, especially on defense, stayed put this offseason by signing a one-year deal.
Now, as a pending free agent for the second consecutive year, he could once again be a low-cost acquisition for a contending team.
It’s no surprise, then, that Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report that Uche’s name is “floating around the trade market.”
The former second-round pick has a base salary of just $1.3 million, and any team acquiring him would only be responsible for a prorated portion of that amount.
Given the low financial commitment, Uche could be an appealing target for a variety of teams, especially as a rental option. However, expectations might need to be managed regarding his role and production if a trade occurs.
Throughout his career, Uche’s snap shares have ranged between 30-38%. Although not known for his run defense, the Michigan product showed promise as a pass rusher in 2022, recording a career-high 11.5 sacks.
The following season, however, saw him register only three sacks, and he has managed two so far this year. With the Patriots sitting at 1-6, they might be willing to accept a late-round pick to give him a fresh start on a team looking for rotational depth.
Notably, Uche changed agents this summer, so a trade could potentially impact future contract discussions that would extend beyond 2024.
The receiver position has also become a recent talking point in New England, with veteran Kendrick Bourne emerging as another potential trade candidate.
A move sending him back to San Francisco could make sense, but the 29-year-old expressed earlier this week that he would prefer to stay with the Patriots.
Meanwhile, younger members of the wide receiver room, including K.J. Osborn, have voiced frustrations about their situations. The free agent addition has seen his playing time decline since the season began, which is likely a point of contention for him.
Osborn, 27, was a consistent secondary target from 2021-23 with the Vikings. However, he only managed to secure a one-year deal worth $4 million on the open market, which includes a base salary of just $1.18 million.
According to the NFL Network report, Osborn is seen as a more likely trade candidate than Bourne as teams continue to navigate a wide receiver market that no longer features big names like Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, or DeAndre Hopkins.
How first-year general manager Eliot Wolf and rookie head coach Jerod Mayo handle the Patriots’ trade options ahead of the November 5 deadline remains to be seen.
