The Kansas City Chiefs have several important free agents this offseason and one of them is defensive lineman Charles Omenihu. The sixth-year veteran out of Texas has been with the Chiefs for the past two seasons, mixing high levels of production with inconsistent play and availability, making him one of the more intriguing players on the market.
But as Omenihu pointed out this week, he’s open to leaving Kansas City and he sent a message to teams that may be interested in pursuing him when free agency begins next month.
Charles Omenihu Wants To Show Teams What A Full Healthy Season Looks Like
Omenihu appeared on FanDuel’s “Up & Adams” show with Kay Adams on Thursday and was asked what other teams will be getting when the 27-year-old hits free agency. His answer was that he would like to show teams what a full season of production looks like and the type of player he can be when he plays in 18 games – a 17-game regular season and a playoff game.
“It’s been two years since I’ve had a full season,” Omenihu explained. “I always kind of tell myself, ‘What’s your next motivator?’ Okay, my next motivator is to show people what an 18-game season looks like for me.”
What is soon-to-be free agent Charles Omenihu bringing to the team he signs with??? 😤💪🗣️@charless_94 @heykayadams @Chiefs | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/MSvUOe6jxU
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) February 20, 2025
Omenihu’s time with the Chiefs has been a roller coaster. Omenihu signed as a rotational pass rusher before the 2023 season but was suspended six games for a domestic violence incident. He recorded a sack in his first game in a Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and a half sack the following week against the Denver Broncos before going on a tear with at least half a sack in each of the final five games to close out the regular season.
After a career-high seven sacks, Omenihu got another in the AFC Championship win over the Baltimore Ravens before suffering a torn ACL. He missed the first 11 games of the 2024 season recovering from the injury but had just one sack in six games.
Omenihu believes that he hit a stride in the playoffs, collecting a sack in a divisional round win against the Houston Texans and posting two total tackles with a tackle for loss and a pass deflection in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. While he struggled in the Super Bowl, Omenihu feels like the first two playoff games were more of the player that he is and what teams should consider when he hits the market next month.
“When I had the 11 games and I had the crazy streak…that was like a taste. I was like, the tip of the iceberg. Okay, this is you. And I had the unfortunate thing and whatever, came back and helped the team.”That Texans game was me. That Buffalo game was me,” Omenihu said. “I feel like I played decent. But to be able to give a team a full season, full strength, full offseason, you’re going to get a guy that you’re not going to be able to run my way. Tight ends [are] not going to block me. …It’s just not gonna happen. Line me up against anybody, to be honest, it won’t happen. And then you’ll get a guy that’s versatile, can rush anywhere, understands protections, can help a D-line room, kind of like everything.”
Omenihu continued his sales pitch by showcasing his ability to learn new systems and becoming a mentor for younger players after playing for three teams during his career.
“I’ve been in three systems where I understand how to manipulate protection,” Omenihu said. “You’ll get a guy that don’t too much of the rah-rah and I try to lead by example. I try to just guide guys if they want to. So you’ll get a guy that’s going to be good in the locker room, help the young guys out. And I just want to sack the quarterback. I just want to sack the quarterback.”
Omenihu’s speech hit all the right notes and one of his biggest factors is in the Chiefs’ favor. But it’s unclear Kansas City will be interested in a reunion. While he’s shown levels of high play, his inconsistency can damage his value. But the Chiefs could also use him after Felix Anudike-Uzomah struggled in the role during Omenihu’s absence earlier this season.
It makes Omenihu an interesting case as he heads into free agency.