It took 4 years, but newest Chiefs pass rusher Charles Omenihu finally lands in KC
Defensive end Charles Omenihu’s relationship with the Chiefs didn’t start during free agency this week.
In fact, the connection sprouted four years ago, during the 2019 pre-draft process.
Omenihu said he met with Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, coach Andy Reid and other members of the coaching staff in a formal interview during that year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
And the sit-down went so well that the occasion left a lasting impression on Omenihu.
“I was talking to Mr. Veach and Coach Reid last night (Wednesday) and I was telling them that I remember that meeting being the most positive meeting I had,” Omenihu said during his Thursday introductory Zoom call. “Definitely felt the energy from (defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags, too, and I remember that meeting very, very vividly.
“It was good, almost to the point that I thought I would get drafted by them.”
The Chiefs didn’t select Omenihu during the NFL’s annual three-day selection process. That honor went to the Houston Texans, who used a fifth-round pick on the former Texas Longhorn. Houston traded Omenihu to the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 before he agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth up to $20 million with the Chiefs earlier this week.
The path to Kansas City might have gone a roundabout way, but Omenihu wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Now, circle back four years later, I’m here,” he said. “So, it all worked out.”
The situation also worked out for the Chiefs.
With the 6-foot-5, 280-pound Omenihu, the Chiefs landed an ascending player to soften the blow of losing Frank Clark, whom the team released in a salary-cap saving move. It also remains to be seen if the Chiefs bring back veteran pass rusher Carlos Dunlap, who is currently an unrestricted free agent.
Omenihu, 25, projects to man the opposite side of second-year pro George Karlaftis, last year’s first-round pick, and perhaps be a part of the pass-rush rotation alongside Karlaftis and Mike Danna.
The Chiefs’ newest defender also provides flexibility to do a little bit of everything along the interior defensive line in Spagnuolo’s scheme.
“I can rush inside, I can rush outside, rush over the center,” Omenihu said. “Whatever you need me to do, I’ve shown that I can do it during my career.”
His stats last season certainly prove he can contribute, as he appeared in 17 games with three starts for the 49ers and amassed career highs in tackles (20) and sacks (4.5). He also tied a career high with 16 quarterback hits.
The Chiefs have time to decide where to line up Omenihu. But there is one area in which he looks forward to contributing for a Chiefs defense that totaled 55 sacks in 2022, the second-most in the league.
“I just want to stuff the run because I know if you play the run well, you can have some fun rushing the quarterback,” Omenihu said.
This story was originally published March 16, 2023 at 3:10 PM.
