As the Philadelphia Eagles continue to try to take steps toward defending their Super Bowl championship, the later it gets this season, the more questions seem to arise. This year has an eerily familiar feeling to it, but that's a conversation for another day.
The later we get into the season, though, the more obvious it becomes that one particular Eagles veteran is very likely entering his final few contests with the team.
Pass rusher Josh Uche originally signed a one-year, $1.92 million deal after four and a half seasons with the New England Patriots and half a season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Over the last few weeks, though, it's become apparent that Uche is well on his way out of Philly after just one year.
The Eagles will probably go a different route in 2026 while letting Josh Uche sign elsewhere
After showing some flashes very early on in the season, the momentum Uche once had is long gone.
The writing has been on the wall for Uche since the re-signing of longtime Eagles fan favorite Brandon Graham a few short weeks ago. In Philadelphia's Week 11 matchup with the Detroit Lions, Uche had zero defensive snaps. That also represented Graham's second game this season with Philly.
It didn't stop there, though. In Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys, Uche once again played a whopping zero snaps on defense. That said, he did appear on special teams.
Sure, Uche's initial contract with the Eagles didn't exactly scream "difference maker," but to be at this point is a bit startling. He looks like he's officially a special teams player and will no longer be needed on defense.
Next year, assuming Graham hangs up the cleats for good this time, the Eagles will still probably let Uche go. If their draft strategy has taught us anything in recent years, it wouldn't be surprising to see Philadelphia go get a top-tier pass rusher out of the 2026 class and not blink in letting Uche sign somewhere else.
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In 11 games this season, Uche has totaled just one sack while playing 206 defensive snaps (28 percent). He has yet to prove himself a necessary part of this vaunted defense, and I'm sure that if Vic Fangio has his way in the coming months, Uche will be playing elsewhere down the line.