The Philadelphia Eagles have lost another defensive player during the 2026 NFL free agency period. Edge rusher Joshua Uche will not return to Philadelphia and has agreed to a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.
Uche spent just one season with the Eagles after joining the team in free agency last year. His departure continues a series of defensive changes for Philadelphia as the team reshapes its pass-rush group ahead of the 2026 season.
Joshua Uche Moves On After One Season in Philadelphia
Joshua Uche joined the Eagles before the 2025 season as a potential rotational pass rusher in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system. The team hoped he could add pressure off the edge after showing strong pass-rushing ability earlier in his career.
The former Michigan standout and 2020 second-round pick had already built a reputation as an effective pass rusher during his previous stops in the NFL.
However, his role in Philadelphia remained limited as the season progressed.
Joshua Uche 2025 Season With Eagles
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 12 |
| Tackles | 23 |
| Tackles for Loss | 2 |
| Sacks | 1 |
| QB Hits | 3 |
| Pass Deflections | 1 |
Uche initially saw playing time early in the season, logging defensive snaps in the first half of the year. But after changes to the Eagles’ defensive rotation, his role decreased and he eventually fell out of the regular lineup.
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Early Season Impact but Reduced Role Later
During the first part of the 2025 season, Uche contributed as a rotational edge defender and created pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Through the first eight games, he played over 200 defensive snaps, recording 20 quarterback pressures and one sack.
But as the Eagles adjusted their defensive lineup and added more players to the pass-rush rotation, Uche’s playing time declined significantly. He did not appear in the defensive lineup for most of the remaining games later in the season.
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Career Background and Previous Teams
Before arriving in Philadelphia, Uche spent several seasons developing as a pass rusher in the NFL. He built a solid reputation for his ability to pressure quarterbacks and had already produced strong numbers earlier in his career.
Joshua Uche Career Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Edge Rusher / Linebacker |
| Draft Year | 2020 |
| Draft Round | 2nd Round |
| College | Michigan |
| Career Sacks (before Eagles) | 20.5 |
One of his most productive seasons came in 2022, when he recorded 11.5 sacks, showing his potential as a disruptive defensive player.
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Eagles Facing Changes in Pass Rush Group
Uche’s departure adds to the Eagles’ defensive turnover during the offseason. Philadelphia has already seen several players from last year’s defense leave in free agency.
With fewer experienced edge rushers currently on the roster, the team may look for additional help either through free agency, trades, or the upcoming NFL Draft.
Eagles Edge Rusher Situation
| Status | Player |
|---|---|
| Current Edge Options | Jalyx Hunt |
| Current Edge Options | Nolan Smith |
| Departed Players | Joshua Uche |
| Departed Players | Jaelan Phillips |
The Eagles are expected to continue exploring ways to strengthen their pass rush before the 2026 season begins.
Also See: Josh Allen Restructures Contract as Buffalo Bills Create Cap Space for 2026 Roster Moves
New Opportunity for Uche in Miami
By joining the Miami Dolphins, Joshua Uche will get another opportunity to play a larger role on defense.
The one-year contract gives the veteran pass rusher a chance to re-establish himself and prove his value as a rotational edge defender and pass-rush specialist.
For the Eagles, his departure marks another change in a defense that is clearly undergoing adjustments during the current offseason.
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