Chiefs Bolster Pass-Rush, Sign DL Charles Omenihu
The Kansas City Chiefs have made their biggest splash on the defensive side of the football in the 2023 NFL offseason by signing defensive lineman Charles Omenihu, as reported by Jordan Schultz of theScore on Tuesday night.
Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated reports that Omenihu's deal is for two years, worth $16 million with a maximum value of $20 million with incentives.
Omenihu, a former fifth-round pick of the Houston Texans in the 2019 NFL Draft, was traded from Houston to the San Francisco 49ers in November 2021 for a 2023 sixth-round pick. He played 26 games for the 49ers and recorded 4.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits.
October 23, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes the football against San Francisco 49ers defensive end Charles Omenihu (94) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Omenihu finished the 2022 season with a 75.3 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus, good for 28th among all qualifying EDGE/defensive ends and finished 16th in quarterback hurries with 39.
Omenihu, 25, checks a lot of boxes for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, as his 6-foot-5, 280-pound measurables project him as a solid fit at defensive end in Spagnuolo's system. However, Omenihu also spent time in the interior for the 49ers, and the Chiefs have frequently moved defensive ends (such as Mike Danna) to the interior while also moving defensive tackle Chris Jones to the outside on a regular basis.
Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star noted that Omenihu played 364 snaps on the outside, 144 over the tackle and 138 as a defensive tackle in 2022, according to PFF.
Omenihu is a welcome addition to a rapidly thinning defensive end group in Kansas City, which entered Tuesday with only George Karlaftis and Danna as defensive ends on the depth chart with significant NFL playing time, even as Karlaftis has just one year of NFL experience. Following the release of Frank Clark and the unknown status of Carlos Dunlap, Omenihu's signing allows the Chiefs to pencil in a Karlaftis/Omenihu starting duo on the edges before the NFL Draft begins in Kansas City. The Chiefs should still look to add another EDGE early in the draft, but KC's need isn't nearly as glaring as it was before adding Omenihu.
Jose Luis Sanchez III of All 49ers listed Omenihu as one of San Francisco's free agents who the team should allow to leave in free agency, though not for lack of recent production:
Trading for Charles Omenihu turned into one of the more underrated transactions that the 49ers have made. He gave them quality snaps game after game. The work that defensive line coach Kris Kocurek did with Omenihu to get him to be an effective rusher cannot be overstated. But Omenihu is going to be this year's Arden Key when it comes to free agency.
The 49ers would surely want him back, assuming his domestic violence case doesn't escalate, but only at their relatively team friendly cheap price. Efficient pass rushers can demand a good $5 million to $10 million in salary and for multiple years. I just think the 49ers will be able to find someone else who is better or almost as good for a fraction of what he would cost.
Omenihu was arrested due to a misdemeanor domestic violence allegation on January 23. ABC7 News in San Francisco reported on the known details shortly after the arrest:
Officials say a woman called to report that her boyfriend, Omenihu, pushed her to the ground during an argument. She complained about pain to her arm, police say, but there were no visible injuries and she declined medical treatment at the time of the investigation.
Officers contacted Omenihu at the scene. He gave a statement and was cooperative with officers.
He was then arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence and he was served with a restraining order by investigating officers. It was not deemed a felony arrest.
