FOXBOROUGH, Mass - This is going to be a very important offseason for Josh Uche.
The New England Patriots linebacker will face free agency for the first time in his NFL career following Sunday's game, with his destination for the 2024 season still unknown.
So with the end of the season now upon him, Uche spoke with A to Z Sports exclusively about his thoughts as he enters free agency.
“I just want to be somewhere where I’m wanted," he said. "I mean, at the end of the day, somewhere where (I’m) appreciated and all those good things. But at the end of the day, I just want to win, I want to contribute, I want to do whatever it takes to help my team win. And wherever that may be, whether it be here, there, anywhere, I just want to play ball.”
So how far have the talks gone?
“There’s been a bit. I’ve had a couple discussions," Uche explained. "Me personally, I’m kind of like, I don’t want to read too much into that and distract from the two games we have left. Trying to let my agents handle all that stuff. And then once the time comes, kinda reconnect and hash it out.”
For right now, his focus is on the games he has left.
“Just enjoying these couple games I have left because after this it’s kind of unknown, uncharted territory," Uche said. "Just trying to enjoy these moments with my teammates because I can’t control anything that kind of goes on after that.”
Along with Uche set to explore this "uncharted territory," the New England Patriots are in a similar position. With so much uncertainty. And that starts with Bill Belichick, so who knows how the team will look next season.
With that, it's sure to make all the free agents think.
However, Uche looked at it from an important perspective that proves how vital Belichick has been in one key part of the game.
“Just speaking from a defensive perspective, we’ve been a great defense since I've been here," Uche explained. "So I can only kind of handle or focus on that side of the ball. Defensively, there’s not too many places that are better than here. So as far as other parts of the team, of course it’s not just (you). It’s a team effort. But again, it just comes back to talking to my family, being where I’m wanted and just kind of putting all that stuff off to the offseason.”
But, Uche has not made any decision just yet and will take time to figure out the best path for him.
“Honestly, I’d be lying if I told you exactly what I wanted to happen right now, where I wanted to be right now. I’d be lying to you.”
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