Pass-rusher Josh Uche has agreed to a one-year contract to return to the New England Patriots, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday.
The one-year deal includes $3 million in base value, with incentives that can increase it to $8 million, a source said.
The Patriots also agreed to a deal Tuesday with veteran tight end Austin Hooper, a source said. That deal is for one year for a base value of $3 million, with a maximum value of $4.25 million.
Uche, the 2020 second-round draft choice out of Michigan, had suitors at last season's trade deadline before ultimately staying in New England. He had a career year in 2022 with 11.5 sacks but was limited to just three sacks in 2023.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Uche, 25, appeared in 15 regular-season games last season and averaged 22 defensive snaps in those contests, reflecting how he would usually play in obvious passing situations.
Over his four-year career, Uche has appeared in 51 regular-season games, with three starts. He has amassed 63 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery, while being credited with 31 quarterback hits.
Veteran linebacker Matthew Judon, who has totaled more sacks than any Patriots player over the past three seasons, had referred to Uche as the team's most gifted pass-rusher. When Uche put together his career year in 2022, he was often paired with Judon in pass-rushing situations -- and he seemed to miss having Judon in 2023 after Judon suffered a season-ending torn biceps injury in Week 4.
The 6-foot-4, 254-pound Hooper slots in as the No. 2 tight end behind recently re-signed Hunter Henry. When he played for the Browns in 2020 and 2021, first-year Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was Cleveland's offensive coordinator, so the two have a prior link that helps Van Pelt project him to his offense.
Hooper is coming off a season for the Las Vegas Raiders in which he totaled 25 catches for 234 yards and no touchdowns.
