Joshua Uche explains why he re-signed with Patriots

Joshua Uche admitted that he turned down a few lucrative offers on the table this offseason as he made his way through free agency.

The 25-year-old pass-rusher ultimately opted to return to Foxborough on a one-year, $3 million contract that could bump to $8 million after incentives and performance bonuses. 

 Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium, Uche explained why he turned down more money elsewhere to return to New England. 

“There were some options on the table, but in my heart, I felt that I was destined to be a Patriot. Despite what I was offered, I felt like this was my calling to be a Patriot,” Uche said. “I felt like it’s what I was destined to do. It’s where I went to be. I don’t want to be anywhere else. So, gotta do what you gotta do — follow your heart.”

Uche’s value did take a hit during the 2023 season, where he finished with just three sacks while dealing with several lingering injuries. But the 2020 second-round pick had a breakout campaign in 2022, posting 11.5 sacks for New England. 

Even with his dip in production last fall, Uche could have landed a heftier payday than the one he secured with the Patriots. 

“Josh Uche had several offers, including one worth $15 million over two seasons, with $11 (million) guaranteed,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared on the X platform in March. “But his heart was in New England, and he opted to return for less: A one-year, $3 (million) deal with upside to $8 (million). A rare time a player makes the final call and doesn’t chase the money.”

Uche admitted that he caught some flak for his decision to take less money in New England, but stressed that he didn’t want to leave the team that drafted him. 

“I had a lot of people calling me crazy,” Uche said. “A lot of people focus on the financial parts of the decision. But I feel like the team that gave me an opportunity, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I can’t envision myself playing for another team. However that shakes out, I just know at the end of the day, the ball was in my court, and this is the dream that I want to fulfill — to be a Patriot.”