2024 NFL trade deadline: The Chiefs acquire Patriots edge rusher Josh Uche as a late pick in the 2026 draft

According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones, the 7-0 Kansas City Chiefs bolstered their pass rush on Monday by signing New England Patriots edge rusher Josh Uche in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick .

Such a trade makes sense for both sides. According to CBS Sports Research, Kansas City is the first team to start 7-0 after winning two straight Super Bowls since the 1990 San Francisco 49ers. This 49ers team reached the NFC Championship, but lost to the New York Giants just two wins away from a three-peat. No team has hit a three-peat in the Super Bowl era since 1966, but that's exactly what the Chiefs are trying to do with this move for New England's former 2020 second-round pick.

The Chiefs have held their opponents to 28 points or fewer in 36 consecutive games, marking the longest streak in the NFL and the longest streak by any team since the 2005-2007 New England Patriots. However, like any true competitor, they are looking to address any weaknesses before the November 5th trade deadline.

She acquired the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins last week and this week it's Uche.

The Chiefs have a fairly consistent pass rush as their quarterback pressure rate of 38.9% is the sixth best in the NFL, but they have struggled to cap those rushes with sacks. Kansas City's 15.0 team sacks are the seventh fewest in the NFL this season and their sack rate of 6.1% is the 11th worst in the league. Aside from edge rusher George Karlaftis (3.0 sacks) and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones (3.0 sacks), they have struggled to produce consistent pass-rush production.

Uche's 20.5 sacks since entering the league in 2020 are the second-most in New England behind former Patriot Matt Judon's 32.0 sacks during that span. He broke out in 2022 with a career-high 11.5, but since then he hasn't registered more than three sacks in any other year of his five-year career. Uche has already moved up to two this season. New England kept him out of Sunday's win against the Jets to keep him healthy before trading him. As for the 2-6 Patriots, they will receive another draft pick to add third-string quarterback Drake Maye to their rebuild in 2024.