Eagles lose edge rusher Joshua Uche to Jaguars in 2026 free agency The Philadelphia Eagles have lost another key pass-rushing defender as free agency began in 2026. Edge rusher Joshua Uche has agreed to a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This marks the second departure from the Eagles’ defensive line since free agency opened, following the departure of Jaelan Phillips, who signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. Uche, 27, joined the Eagles in 2025 after spending five seasons with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, where he accumulated 20.5 career sacks. A 2020 second-round draft pick from Michigan, Uche was considered a potential rotational piece for Vic Fangio’s defense, with upside to contribute as a pass-rusher. During his time with the Eagles, he recorded 11.5 sacks in 2022, which raised hopes he could become a more consistent threat. However, Uche’s role diminished after the team acquired Phillips in the offseason. Over eight weeks, he logged 204 defensive snaps, generating 20 quarterback pressures and one sack. But with Phillips entering the rotation, Uche was pushed to the sidelines, playing only 11 games in 2025. The Eagles had anticipated his departure, as his impact in Philadelphia was limited, and they opted not to pursue a long-term deal. Uche’s move to the Jaguars represents a new chapter for the former Patriot, who now seeks to reestablish himself in a competitive defensive scheme. The Eagles’ decision to let him go reflects their focus on restructuring their pass-rushing corps, which has faced challenges in maintaining consistent production. As free agency progresses, the team will need to address gaps on the defensive line to complement their evolving strategy.#philadelphia_eagles #carolina_panthers #adam_schefter #joshua_uche #jacksonville_jaguars
Former Patriots Second-Round Pick Signs With Division Rival Joshua Uche, a second-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2020 NFL Draft, has signed with the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old edge rusher, selected with the 60th overall pick, spent his first three seasons with the Patriots before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. After being released by the Chiefs, Uche joined the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2025 season, where he played a limited role before securing a one-year deal with the Dolphins. Uche’s Patriots tenure saw a mix of promise and inconsistency. During his rookie season in 2021, he recorded just one sack in nine games. His production improved the following year, with three sacks in 2022, and he had a breakout season in 2023, posting 11.5 sacks in 15 games. That year, he became a fan favorite, often paired with Matthew Judon, the team’s dominant pass-rushing force. Together, they combined for 27 sacks in 2023, marking the last time the Patriots had two players exceed 10 sacks in a single season. However, Uche’s performance dipped in 2024, as he tallied only three sacks. Ex-head coach Jerod Mayo, who had previously coached Uche during his rookie season, traded him to the Chiefs midway through the year in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. Uche’s time with Kansas City was short-lived, as he was cut before the 2025 season. He then joined the Eagles, where he played a civilian season. Despite limited playing time—just 244 total snaps—he finished with a career-high Pro Football Focus grade of 85.1, the best of his NFL career. The Eagles utilized Uche strictly as a pass-rushing specialist, a role that saw him record 21 quarterback hurries and 12 run-stopping tackles.#philadelphia_eagles #new_england_patriots #miami_dolphins #kansas_city_chiefs #joshua_uche
