What Patriots LB Josh Uche mentioned about signing a doable extension after a breakout 2022 season

Patriots

“I perceive it’s a enterprise, and enterprise is enterprise. So, no arduous emotions, I suppose.”

FOXBOROUGH — Josh Uche is setting himself up for a powerful pay elevate subsequent summer season.

The fourth-year linebacker and 2020 second-round draft decide put all of it collectively on the sector in 2022, rising as a feared move rusher alongside Matthew Judon.

After racking up 4 sacks over his first two NFL campaigns, Uche recorded 11.5 sacks final 12 months to associate with 14 quarterback hits. He gained momentum because the 12 months went on, totaling all of his sacks over his ultimate 10 video games of the season.

Uche, set to enter the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract in New England in 2023, can lock in a hefty new deal if he continues to torment opposing quarterbacks this fall.

But it surely stays to be seen if the Patriots would be the ones keen to pen such a contract for him.

Chatting with the media following Thursday’s observe at Gillette Stadium, Uche acknowledged that his brokers have already entered into discussions with New England on a brand new deal.

“They’ve been in communication,” Uche mentioned. “I simply didn’t need to fear myself with the main points. I simply let [my agents] deal with all of the little stuff and simply come out right here and work every day.”

The Patriots are anticipated to be flush with cap flexibility in 2024, with OverTheCap.com noting that New England is predicted to enter subsequent summer season with $107 million in cap area, essentially the most amongst all 32 NFL groups. 

However Uche is way from the one participant that New England must retain subsequent summer season. Fellow 2020 draftees in Kyle Dugger and Michael Onwenu are additionally set for brand new contracts, whereas different key cogs like Hunter Henry, Trent Brown, Mike Gesicki, Kendrick Bourne and others are set to hit free company.

Regardless that Uche has emerged as a dominant pressure up entrance for a revamped New England protection, it stays to be seen what sort of contract the Michigan product will command.

The Patriots, who chosen a possible pass-rushing alternative in second-round DE Keion White through the 2023 NFL Draft, might decide to maneuver on from Uche to be able to allocate his new payday to different areas of the roster.

For now, Uche isn’t getting caught up in the place he would possibly land subsequent season.

“Wherever I’m needed, wherever I’m wanted, I’m keen to work,” Uche added. “Wherever I could also be — God keen it’s right here — I’ll simply give it all the pieces I acquired.”

Nonetheless, regardless that the pass-rushing specialist echoed the same old spiel when it comes to separating himself from arduous contract talks, he did acknowledge that the best-case situation includes him not having to pack his luggage in any respect subsequent summer season.

“That is the group that took an opportunity on me once I know plenty of different groups didn’t know what to presumably do with me or what I used to be popping out of faculty,” Uche mentioned of his ties to the Patriots. “That is the group that developed me into the participant I’ve grow to be. That is the place I’ve referred to as dwelling for the final 4 years.

“I’m comfy. I do know the realm, I’ve acquired household out right here, and I adore it out right here. And I’ve been capable of make myself at dwelling. And I might like to be right here. However on the finish of the day, I perceive it’s a enterprise, and enterprise is enterprise. So, no arduous emotions, I suppose.”