The Chiefs improved their offense last week.
Now, they beefed up their defense in their quest for a Super Bowl three-peat.
Kansas City acquired Patriots linebacker Josh Uche for a sixth-round pick, NFL Network reported Monday, with the move transpiring before next week’s trade deadline.
Uche has two sacks this season and joins a 7-0 Chiefs team that just added veteran star receiver DeAndre Hopkins last week.
The Chiefs are looking to accomplish a feat no team has in the Super Bowl era with three consecutive championships, and general manager Brett Veach is doing what he can to help his team’s chances.
Adding Uche not only helps a defense that has been one of the best in the NFL this season but addresses one clear area for improvement.
Kansas City ranks in the bottom 10 in sacks with just 15, although the defense ranks top-five in yards allowed per game.
Adding Uche should help, even if his 2024 stats don’t jump off the page.
Uche, a second-round out of Michigan in 2020, had his best season in 2022 when he tallied 11.5 sacks. He’s registered just nine across his other four seasons.
It’s possible he may be used as a situational pass rusher with Kansas City.
Uche did not play in Sunday’s 25-22 upset win over the Jets and Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo did not reveal much about the decision hours before the trade happened.
“It was just a healthy scratch and we also (try) to put the best team out there that we think gives us the best chance to win,” Mayo said Monday.
Uche joins a Chiefs team that remains the NFL’s only unbeaten squad this season and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Travis Kelce scored his first touchdown of the season in the 27-20 road win over the Raiders in Week 8, while Hopkins contributed two catches for 29 yards in his team debut.
The Chiefs welcome the reeling Buccaneers (4-4) in Week 9 for “Monday Night Football.”