Josh Uche had a chance to cash in this offseason, but ultimately, he decided to stay where he feels at home.
The 25-year-old ended up re-signing with the New England Patriots on a one-year deal worth just $3 million. Considering Uche had 11.5 sacks in 2022, returning to New England for so cheap seems like a strange choice.
However, Uche realized that no amount of money can replace a feeling of comfort. In a video released on the team's social media pages, Uche explained that his history with the Patriots and a promising future under coach Jerod Mayo are what ultimately swayed him to come back.
"The Patriots were the organization that gave me a chance in the NFL," Uche said. "It's like family. It feels like home, and there's nowhere else I'd rather be than home. So I think that was my main reason -- loyalty, family and love.
"Coach Mayo is developing a lot of tough young men, and I feel like it's something I just want to continue to be a part of. I think it's just going to be great. I think the future is bright. I'm just happy to be home and get back to doing what I do best."
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Uche turned down multiple offers from other teams, including one that would have paid him $15 million ($11 million guaranteed) over two years. Again, though, he valued continuity above a short-term payout.
Despite his great 2022 season, Uche has still been a situational player for the Patriots. He has started just three games in four seasons and has never played 40 percent of defensive snaps in a season. The Michigan product still has 18.5 career sacks, but over half of that total came in one season.
Perhaps under Mayo - who coached Uche and other linebackers before his promotion - and new defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, the fifth-year pass-rusher will see a rise in snap count. For now, though, Uche feels comfortable betting on himself in 2024.
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