The Kansas City Chiefs have several key free agents this offseason, including defensive lineman Charles Omenihu.
The sixth-year veteran out of Texas has spent the past two seasons in Kansas City, showing flashes of high-level production but also struggling with consistency and availability—making him one of the more intriguing options on the market.
This week, Omenihu made it clear he’s open to moving on, sending a message to potential suitors ahead of free agency next month.
During an appearance on FanDuel’s Up & Adams show with Kay Adams on Thursday, Omenihu was asked what teams would be getting if they signed him. The 27-year-old responded by emphasizing his desire to prove what he can do over a full season, showcasing his impact across all 18 games—a full 17-game regular season plus a playoff appearance.
“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.”
Omenihu’s tenure with the Chiefs has been a rollercoaster. He joined the team as a rotational pass rusher ahead of the 2023 season but missed the first six games due to a suspension stemming from a domestic violence incident. He made an immediate impact upon his return, recording a sack in his debut against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7 and adding a half-sack the following week against the Denver Broncos. He then went on a strong run, registering at least half a sack in each of the final five games of the regular season.
After setting a career-high with seven sacks, Omenihu added another in the AFC Championship win over the Baltimore Ravens before suffering a torn ACL. The injury sidelined him for the first 11 games of the 2024 season, and he managed just one sack in six games upon his return.
Despite the setbacks, Omenihu believes he found his rhythm in the playoffs, notching a sack in the divisional round win over the Houston Texans and contributing two tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass deflection in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. While he struggled in the Super Bowl, he feels his performances in the first two playoff games better reflect the kind of player he is—something he hopes teams will keep in mind as he enters free agency 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 reinforced his case by highlighting his adaptability to different systems and his role as a mentor for younger players, having gained experience with three different teams throughout 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 made a compelling case for himself, and one key factor works in the Chiefs’ favor. However, it’s uncertain whether Kansas City will pursue a reunion. While he has demonstrated flashes of high-level play, his inconsistency could impact his market value. That said, the Chiefs might still find him valuable, especially after Felix Anudike-Uzomah struggled in his role during Omenihu’s absence earlier in the season.
As he enters free agency, Omenihu remains an intriguing option.
