"The stars aligned, and I feel like this is where God called me to be."
A young and hungry Joshua Uche met with the Philadelphia media virtually for the first time on Monday afternoon after officially signing his one-year deal at the NovaCare Complex.
The outside linebacker came to Philadelphia as a free agent after spending part of the 2024 season with the Chiefs. Uche was traded to Kansas City from the Patriots in October after spending the first four and a half years of his career in New England.
Despite limited playing time on defense in the six games he played with the Chiefs, Uche is just two seasons removed from his career-high 11.5 sack season with the Patriots in 2022.
Now with a change of scenery, the sixth-year player is looking to get back to the success he has shown on the field.
"Being 26 years old, I've got a lot left in the tank," Uche said. "It just comes down to opportunity and getting on the field doing my job. Whenever I'm on the field I've been effective, I've been efficient, so it's just all about getting on the field and doing my job."
According to Pro Football Focus, Uche has a pressure rate of 16.7 percent since 2022, which ranks sixth among edge defenders in the NFL.
The former second-round pick out of Michigan wanted to join a championship-winning defense and prove what he can bring to the Eagles organization.
"I view it as an opportunity to compete and help bolster a team that's already had so much success," Uche said about coming to Philadelphia.
"To play for a coach like (Head Coach Nick) Sirianni and coach (Defensive Coordinator Vic) Fangio is an honor. Two great coaches in their own respects. Just getting an opportunity to continue playing this game and fulfil my potential."
Uche now gets a chance at a full offseason and Training Camp after a quick midseason turnaround in 2024.
"It will be beneficial, to be able to get the playbook under your belt, build that muscle memory, build that camaraderie with your teammates. Get used to the environment around you – the locker room, the coaches, everything – I think that's going to play a major factor for me personally. I look forward to it," Uche said.
In 64 career games, Uche has compiled 86 tackles (65 solo), 34 quarterback hits, and 20.5 sacks.
Although he is young in age, Uche will bring a ton of NFL playing experience to Defensive Ends/Outside Linebacker Coach Jeremiah Washburn's room of edge rushers, which is headlined by 24-year-olds Nolan Smith (Year 3) and Jalyx Hunt (Year 2).
"Watching those guys in the Super Bowl – reckless abandonment. I remember a clip of Nolan (Smith) taking on a pulling guard and it was just a physical clip. And (Jalyx) Hunt, just coming off the edge as a young guy, you love to see that out of your linebackers room," Uche said. "Obviously, they are coached up very well by Coach Washburn and Coach Fangio. I mean, that's what you want to see. I saw it up close and personal being at the Super Bowl and I'm just excited to be a part of this group." – Written by Liam Wichser
