Omenihu Returns to Chiefs with Motivation to Prove Himself

Kansas City, Mo. — Defensive lineman Charles Omenihu has rejoined the Kansas City Chiefs with a renewed focus and a one-year contract following an injury-plagued season. Omenihu discussed his return with local media members via Zoom on Wednesday, confirming that late free agency was the right moment for him to bet on himself.

After recovering from an ACL injury that sidelined him during much of the 2023 season, Omenihu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue playing with the Chiefs, where he started and thrived under the coaching of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive line coach Joe Cullen.

“The time that I did miss held weight [with] teams,” Omenihu said. “It would be difficult for anybody to look the same after an injury. So those two factors… were something that I dealt with in free agency.”

Omenihu, whose season did not begin until Week 7, played in nine games last year and recorded two sacks. He admitted that pushing through the injury was tough, but he was eager to showcase his abilities once again.

“Coming back to an organization that I know and love… I was on a very good pace before I got hurt,” he said. “Getting a whole year and the entire offseason, I feel like it will bode well for me and the team.”

During the Chiefs’ 2023 season, Omenihu managed to tally seven sacks in the remaining six games leading into the postseason, underscoring his potential when healthy. Unfortunately, his trajectory was halted in the second quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens when he tore his ACL while attempting to secure a strip sack. He missed a critical part of the following regular season as well.

“It was tough, but like I said, factors that, honestly, I couldn’t control,” he acknowledged. “I wanted to do anything to be on the field with the guys and push for the team, but when you take a step back for rehab, it’s hard.”

Throughout his six-year career, Omenihu has faced various challenges. Initially drafted by the Houston Texans in 2019, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers after a coaching shakeup. Under the guidance of defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, he experienced significant production with 4.5 sacks and 62 pressures in 2022.

“Life is about adversity. Life is about overcoming it,” Omenihu reflected. “Now, knock on wood, there’s not any of that anymore. I’ll hopefully be able to play from Game 1 this year, and that will be a relief.”

As Omenihu prepares for his age-28 season, he emphasizes the importance of regaining his explosive strength to perform at his best. With a renewed sense of purpose, he is determined to demonstrate his worth in the upcoming season.

“I know that I’m a talented player. It’s like you climb the hill and then a rock hits you in the face. Now, I want to avoid that and strive to show everyone exactly who I was before I got hurt,” he said.

Looking ahead, Omenihu remains focused on making a substantial impact this season with the Chiefs, driven by a mix of personal goals and team ambitions.