Why was Patriots veteran benched vs. Jets?

With the NFL trade deadline looming next week, Joshua Uche was a surprise scratch against the Jets.

The Patriots acquired the veteran edge rusher in hopes of acquiring a fifth-round pick, according to Karen Guregian, but Uche’s playing time has also decreased. In the loss to the Jaguars in London, Uche played just 11 snaps. During a conference call Monday morning after a 25-22 upset of the Jets, Jerod Mayo was asked what went into the decision to bench Uche.

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“It was just a healthy scratch and we also (wanted) to field the best team that gives us the best chance to win,” Mayo said.

In an interview with ESPN’s Mike Reiss conducted Sunday morning, Uche appeared to be following the trade rumors closely.

“At the end of the day, I’m an employee of the Patriots and if they think it’s in their best interest to trade me, I know they will. If there is an opportunity for them to build the future, I am sure they will do it,” Uche told ESPN. “Right now there are a lot of rumors and a lot of information that (the media) can access before I do. So we’ll see which of those pieces of information will materialize, but I know one thing for sure: wherever I am, I’m going to play damn good football. Right now it is what it is.”