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Pending Chiefs Free Agent's Price Going Up With Playoff Performance

By Joe Summers

Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, left and head coach Andy Reid watch play against the Chicago Bears during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, left and head coach Andy Reid watch play against the Chicago Bears during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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While the Kansas City Chiefs are busy preparing for a AFC Championship battle with the Buffalo Bills, some in the front office are almost certainly already hard at work preparing for the offseason.

The Chiefs have numerous key free agents coming up for new contracts and will have to make some difficult decisions. Not everyone can return barring some truly stunning cap gymnastics from general manager Brett Veach, so this is the final time that this core group will all be together.

However, one player is throwing a wrench into potential plans. DE Charles Omenihu, who missed most of the season with an injury, is once again a one-man wrecking crew and deserves to be extended. That may not have been the team's intention entering the campaign but at this point, Omenihu has more than earned a new contract.

Unfortunately, his excellent play is driving up his likely asking price.

Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu Becoming More Expensive By the Minute

Omenihu originally signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Chiefs and has been clear about his desire to earn a larger salary. He was Kansas City's third-best defender against his former team, the Houston Texans, according to Pro Football Focus' grading.

The 27-year-old defender was at his best in the Divisional Round, notching four tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. He also had a strip-sack in the AFC title game in 2023 prior to tearing his ACL. After a long recovery, Omenihu has proven he's one of the better pass-rushers in the NFL.

Pairing Omenihu with George Karlaftis alongside Chris Jones on the interior gives the Chiefs one of the scariest defensive lines in all of football. If Veach can make the money work, Omenihu has more than earned his share.

It's not a coincidence that Kansas City's defense dramatically improved once Omenihu returned from injury. We all obviously want the Chiefs to win on Sunday, but maybe Omenihu doesn't have to be so dominant to ensure that his asking price doesn't get too rich for the Chiefs' blood this offseason.

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