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After an up-and-down 2023 campaign, Charles Omenihu is pleading his case for why he deserves a new contract.
The Kansas City Chiefs defensive end sat out of the first six games this season through suspension but believes he did enough to convince the front office he’s a valuable commodity.
Like many Chiefs defensive players, though, his status is up in the air.
Omenihu’s 2023 stats
For violating the leagues’ personal conduct policy, Omenihu had to sit out in the early portion of 2023.
In his 11 regular season encounters, Omenihu registered a career high for tackles (28) and sacks (seven) with a pair of forced fumbles.
His sack total put him second on the team behind Chris Jones and George Karlaftis (10.5).
According to Pro Football Focus, he had a run defense grade of 58.0, the highest of his career.
He also posted 29 pressures, 11 quarterback sacks, five tackles for losses and two passes defended.
Omenihu’s current contract
Weeks after the Chiefs victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, KC signed Charles Omenihu to a two-year contract from San Francisco.
He’d previously played for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens as well.
Per Spotrac, his deal with KC is worth $16 million and comes with a workout bonus of $150,000 in 2024.
His cap hit next season would be close to $11 million.
Whether or not Brett Veach and the Chiefs front office honor the final year of his contract, though, is up in the air.
Omenihu’s case
Earlier this month, the fifth-round pick in 2019 went on X, saying he wants to “feel appreciated”.
The assumption was that it had something to do with his Chiefs contract.
On Monday’s “Good Morning Football” episode, the panel asked him if he did enough in 2023 to deserve a new deal.
Here’s what he had to say.
“I think I did, to be honest.”
“Like you said, seven sacks in 11 games and then the sack in the (AFC) Championship Game to kind of spark off the wave of defensive plays.”
“I think I did; I think the tape speaks for itself. I think I showed dominant run play and then with the pass rush, inside and outside and just winning one-on-ones, creating turnovers, being the spark and, like, the energy plays they wanted me to be when I got there.”
What’s working against Omenihu
Omenihu was by no means a weak link on the Chiefs’ defensive line, but some things are working against him.
Firstly, he didn’t play in the Super Bowl after tearing his ACL in their AFC Championship victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
He’s undergone surgery for that but might not be ready at the start of 2024.
Omenihu says he wishes he could’ve had a full season to prove his worth.
Cutting Omenihu would create $7 million worth of cap space for the Chiefs, while costing them just $3.8 million in dead money.
The amount of money KC might save by cutting him could make sense.
If that additional $7 million is what separates the team from signing Chris Jones or L’Jarius Sneed or both, then Omenihu could be looking for another team in 2024.