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.

The San Francisco 49ers could use reinforcements on the interior of their offensive line. This offseason, bolstering the trenches will be a key focus for general manager John Lynch. One free-agent guard, in particular, could be a compelling option for the 49ers to consider.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill is set to be one of the top interior defenders available in free agency this offseason. With the Bengals working to manage contracts for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson, Hill could be the odd man out.

The 49ers could benefit from adding another interior lineman alongside Javon Hargrave, and Hill fits the profile of an underrated but impactful defender. The 29-year-old has been a key starter for the Bengals over the past three seasons, recording 175 combined tackles and 10.5 sacks in 48 games.

Hill would bring veteran leadership and strong run defense to San Francisco’s defensive line. While he’s looking for a solid payday, he isn’t expected to command top-tier defensive tackle money.

Spotrac projects his market value at $9 million per season, with a potential two-year deal worth under $20 million—significantly less than the top-tier defensive tackles earning over $20 million annually. Given his reliability and steady production, Hill could be a smart investment for the 49ers.

Jaguars hire Rams director of scouting James Gladstone as GM

The San Francisco 49ers won’t be losing Josh Williams to the Jacksonville Jaguars after all. On Friday, the Jaguars announced the hiring of Los Angeles Rams director of scouting James Gladstone as their new general manager.

That’s one less concern for the 49ers. While this was mentioned in the Golden Nuggets earlier, it’s worth acknowledging again—especially since San Francisco has repeatedly lost key staff members to other teams over the years.

The 49ers have consistently seen coaches and front office personnel poached by rival teams, with the most notable recent departure being Adam Peters to the Washington Commanders. This ongoing trend is a testament to the team’s success and the value other organizations see in bringing that winning culture into their own operations.

The fear of losing Williams was legitimate, as he was reportedly one of the top finalists for the Jaguars’ GM position. With Gladstone also among the final candidates, there were no surprises or last-minute hires. Gladstone now takes over for Trent Baalke, who was dismissed in January. Given Baalke’s past as the 49ers’ former GM, it would have been ironic if he had managed to take another key figure from San Francisco on his way out.

While this decision puts the Rams in a tough spot—forcing them to either promote internally or find a replacement for Gladstone—it does come with one downside for the 49ers: no compensatory picks. Had Williams been hired, San Francisco would have received a compensatory third-round pick in both the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts under the NFL’s initiative to promote minority hiring in front offices and coaching staffs.

As for other departures, the 49ers did lose Brandon Staley on Friday, as he accepted the defensive coordinator role with the New Orleans Saints. For now, that appears to be the only exit of the day.

The Chicago Bears have officially entrusted their franchise to Caleb Williams as he heads into his second NFL season.

Williams’ rookie year had its ups and downs. The Bears started strong with a 4-2 record but soon lost momentum, leading to the dismissal of head coach Matt Eberflus.

Now, a fresh chapter begins in Chicago. With the hiring of former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, a renewed sense of optimism is spreading among fans.

While change is in the air, some traditions remain intact. During a recent visit to Fanatics, Williams signed a batch of trading cards, leaving a bold message on one: “Green Bay Sucks.” It seems the young quarterback has already embraced the Bears’ long-standing rivalry with the Packers.

Williams split games against Green Bay in his debut season, capping off the year with one of his best performances in a victory over their divisional foes.

Although the Detroit Lions have claimed the NFC North title in back-to-back seasons, one thing remains true—every team in the division shares a deep-rooted dislike for the Packers. With their decades-long dominance, any win against Green Bay is always a moment to celebrate.

Bears Catch Huge Break in Pursuit of Chiefs Pro Bowl OG Trey Smith

The Chicago Bears just received a major boost from the AFC West.

According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic (February 19), the Kansas City Chiefs are unlikely to place the franchise tag on Pro Bowl offensive guard Trey Smith. This means Smith is set to hit free agency next month unless he reaches a long-term deal with Kansas City in the coming weeks.

With the Bears looking to strengthen their offensive line, Smith’s potential availability could be a game-changing opportunity for Chicago as they build around Caleb Williams.

“The Chiefs are not expected to place the franchise tag or the transition tag on Smith, according to a league source,” Taylor wrote. “Instead, the Chiefs should do their best to keep one of their best players by offering Smith a four- or five-year contract.”

Bears Represent Biggest Threat to Chiefs if Trey Smith Becomes Free Agent

Kansas City’s financial constraints could work in Chicago’s favor.

As of Wednesday, Spotrac reports the Bears have $64 million in salary cap space, while the Chiefs are limited to just $3.2 million. The NFL salary cap is expected to rise by $22-$26 million next season following final negotiations between the league and the players association, which could aid Kansas City’s efforts to retain Trey Smith.

However, Chicago has been linked to Smith since before the Super Bowl, and those connections are only gaining momentum. The Bears could present a massive offer—potentially a five-year deal exceeding $100 million—that would make Smith the highest-paid offensive guard in NFL history.

With Caleb Williams sacked 68 times as a rookie, Chicago is in desperate need of O-line reinforcements. New head coach Ben Johnson, who thrived with an elite offensive line in Detroit, has made it clear that strengthening the trenches is a top priority for the Bears.

Bears Dubbed Top Fit for Chiefs Guard Trey Smith

ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked Trey Smith as the No. 2 free agent for 2025 across all positions, further intensifying speculation about a potential move to Chicago. Bowen also listed the Bears as Smith’s ideal landing spot, adding more momentum to the growing buzz that a deal could materialize in the coming weeks.

“The top interior lineman on the market, Smith would upgrade a critical position of need in Chicago,” Bowen wrote. “Smith is a powerful mover in the run game, as his run block win rate of 75.1% ranked sixth among guards. Plus, he has the foot speed to mirror interior defenders and the strength at 6-6 and 321 pounds to anchor against bull rushes. Bears general manager Ryan Poles could make a splash move to rebuild the front for Ben Johnson’s new offense.”

Chicago holds the No. 10, 39, and 41 picks in the first two rounds of April’s draft and is expected to use at least one or two of those selections on offensive linemen, even if they secure Smith in free agency.