This offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs were more active in free agency than many fans probably expected. Their free agency moves were headlined by the signings of left tackle Jaylon Moore and cornerback Kristian Fulton. Kansas City also brought in some nice depth pieces with the signing of veteran safety Mike Edwards and running back Elijah Mitchell.
That said, one player the Chiefs brought back on a cheap deal could pay massive dividends. Veteran pass rusher Charles Omenihu re-signed with Kansas City on a one-year $4 million deal. If the 27-year-old is able to return to how he looked before his injury in 2023, this deal could end up being a steal.
Charles Omenihu Could Be Chiefs' Best Value Signing in Offseason
While Omenihu came back to Kansas City on a deal that's slightly above a veteran minimum salary, he's no slouch. Chiefs Kingdom is aware of this after his performance during the 2023 season. In 11 games, the 27-year-old recorded seven sacks, five quarterback hits, 17 QB hurries, and 29 QB pressures, according to PFF.
Unfortunately, Omenihu suffered a torn ACL during the 2023 AFC Championship game. This injury forced him to miss a majority of the 2024 season. Though Omenihu did return in Week 13, he was unable to make an impact coming off the injury.
Still, it's a bit surprising that no other teams came calling during free agency, given his breakout before the injury. However, returning to Kansas City on a cheap one-year deal may have been the best outcome for the 27-year-old.
This is because defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo understands how to maximize Omenihu's ability, which is what helped him break out in 2023. With another offseason of recovery and a full training camp ahead of him, the 27-year-old is in a strong position to re-establish himself as a difference-maker on the edge.
Achieving that would help him land a massive contract next season, even if it's not in Kansas City.