Josh Uche’s Time in Philly Appears to Be Running Out After Midseason Bench
The Eagles came into the 2025 season with sky-high expectations on defense, especially up front. But while the interior of the defensive line has largely held up its end of the bargain, the edge rusher spot has been a different story - inconsistent, thin, and, at times, downright frustrating.
One of the clearest signs of that struggle? Philadelphia coaxed longtime Eagle Brandon Graham out of retirement midseason.
That move wasn’t just about nostalgia. It was a loud and clear message from GM Howie Roseman: the edge room wasn’t getting it done.
And no player embodies that disappointment more than Josh Uche.
Early in the year, Uche looked like he might be one of the better bargains on the roster. He flashed in the opening weeks - three quarterback hits, a sack, two tackles for loss, and even a pass deflection.
It wasn’t dominant, but it was promising. For a team looking for rotational production without breaking the bank, Uche was doing enough to justify his one-year, $1.92 million deal.
But that momentum didn’t last.
As the season wore on, Uche’s impact evaporated. The pressures dried up.
The snaps got fewer. And eventually, the Eagles pulled the plug - Uche hasn’t logged a single defensive snap since Week 9 and has been inactive for the last three games.
In a Vic Fangio defense that demands discipline and consistent execution, Uche simply fell out of favor. At this point, he’s essentially an emergency depth option, kept around in case of injury, not because the staff believes he can still make a difference.
It’s a steep fall for a player who not long ago looked like a rising pass-rush specialist. Back in 2022, Uche broke out with 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Patriots.
That season looked like the start of something. Now, it feels more like an outlier - a career year that hasn’t come close to repeating itself.
From the Eagles’ perspective, the gamble made sense. With limited cap flexibility, they needed low-cost upside, and Uche had flashed enough in New England to warrant a look. But the production never followed, and now, with the season winding down and playoff positioning on the line, the Eagles are clearly ready to move on.
Looking ahead, Philly will need to retool the edge rotation. The good news?
With cornerstone interior linemen like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis locked in for 2026, the defensive front remains an attractive landing spot for free agents. The Eagles have the kind of interior talent that makes life easier for edge rushers - collapsing pockets, eating up double teams, and forcing quarterbacks into bad decisions.
That should draw interest from pass rushers looking to revive or elevate their careers.
As for Uche, the writing is on the wall. He’s no longer part of the defensive plan, and barring a rash of injuries, he’s unlikely to see meaningful snaps again in an Eagles uniform. He’s not being discussed as a potential re-signing, and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where that changes.
This isn’t about effort or attitude - it’s about production. In a defense built on pressure and disruption, Uche didn’t deliver. And in a city like Philadelphia, where expectations are high and patience is short, that’s usually the end of the road.