With OTA’s getting underway today for the Eagles and 19 other teams, the excitement and speculation regarding a new season always creates buzz. Moreso in Philadelphia on the heels of one of the most successful seasons in franchise history. Howie Roseman and the front office made moves in free agency and in the draft to help the team overcome some key departures heading into the season, including EDGE Josh Uche.
Uche is an intriguing player to watch as the team begins practicing leading up to the season. Signed for just $1.92 million, it is another potential low-cost/risk high reward signing by Roseman and the Eagles. Expectations surrounding the 26-year-old are a bit tempered due to his lack of production over the last two seasons after posting a career-best 11.5 sacks in 2022 with New England.
Those sacks impressively came in a two-month span.
“It was a situation early in the season Coach Belichick had me as the pass rush coordinator. I was getting some pressures, but the sacks weren’t falling. But you continue to swing and eventually they come in bunches,” Uche remarked on his production during his introductory press conference.
Uche continued: “You can’t be a selfish player in this game. You have to do your job, and the stars will align and eventually your time will come. I kept swinging and that stretch came and I did what I was supposed to do. That’s always been the player I have been. Sometimes the sacks haven’t always reflected that, but whenever I’m on the field. I’m efficient. I try to win.“
Since that season, Uche has only recorded five sacks over his last 28 games. Last season, he played in seven games with the Patriots before being traded to Kansas City for a 2026 sixth-round pick in late October. He did not dress for the Chiefs during their run in the playoffs. Certainly not ideal for a former second round pick.
“Of course, as a football player you want to be out on the field with your teammates and brothers. It was a situation in the middle of the season, coming in late, stars didn’t fully align,” Uche said on his time with the Chiefs. “As a competitor you always want to be out there competing. I’m not too sure from a schematic or personnel standpoint where there was a disconnect, but I did whatever was asked of me to help the team win.”
Why the Eagles could be a great fit
The change of scenery along with the Eagles’ personnel and coaching staff could potentially unlock that pass rush ability he showcased in 2022. During his introductory press conference with the team, Uche believes he can be a productive player.
“Being 26 years old, I have a lot left in the tank. It just comes down to opportunity and getting on the field and doing my job,” Uche said.
Look no further than Zack Baun’s impressive season and rise as a prime example on how Philadelphia could be a great landing spot for Uche. Although Baun is not a pass rusher like Uche, he came to Philadelphia on a similar prove it deal and cashed in. Along with Baun, the talent across the defense for the Eagles could allow Uche a chance to solely focus on rushing the passer as a rotational EDGE, which is something he said he is looking forward to.
“I view it as an opportunity to compete and help bolster a team that has already had so much success. To play for Coach Sirianni and Coach Fangio is an honor, two great coaches in their own respects and just to keep getting an opportunity to play this game and fulfil my potential.”
An opportunity that will give him a full summer to learn Fangio’s defense compared to trying to learn on the fly when he joined the Chiefs in the middle of the season.
“It will be beneficial to get the playbook under my belt, build that muscle memory, build that comradery with your teammates, get used to the environment around you with the locker room and coaches. I think that’s going to play a big factor for me personally,” Uche said.
The interior line spearheaded by Jalen Carter alongside Jordan Davis make for a very strong duo in the middle of the line along with Moro Ojomo who showed signs of promise last year. Uche will join a pass-rushing linebacker room this summer that includes Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Bryce Huff along with fellow newcomer Azeez Ojulari and rookie pass rush specialist Antwaun Powell-Ryland.
“Watching those guys in the Super Bowl, [it was] reckless abandonment. I remember watching a clip of Nolan [Smith] taking on a pulling guard and it is just a physical clip,” Uche recalled. “[Jalyx] Hunt, coming off the edge as a young guy, you love to see that out of your linebacker’s room. Obviously, they are coached up very well by Coach Washburn and Coach Fangio. That’s what you want to see. I saw that up close and personal at the Super Bowl and I’m just excited to be part of that group.“
Add to the mix the ability of shutting down wide receivers with the secondary led by Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, the defense is poised to allow a player like Uche to focus on solely one thing. Getting to the quarterback.
Entering 2024, Uche had a career pass-rush win rate of 17.2% according to Pro Football Focus. That mark would have put him inside the top 25 in the NFL as an edge rusher this past season. Since 2022, he has been one of the best at generating pressures.
If the Eagles can recapture that production from Uche as a rotational piece off the edge who can change a game with a sack or two throughout the season, that small investment could payout in a big way.
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
