Latest news with #CharlesOmenihu
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu shows preparation for the new season with 'Big 7' video
The countdown to training camp is underway for the Kansas City Chiefs after wrapping offseason workouts last week. The progress of each player will continue during downtime as veterans look to stay sharp leading into camp. Chiefs defensive lineman Charles Omenihu continues to produce on the field and off with content for fans to follow his journey. Through social media, the pass rusher provided updates during his ACL injury recovery last year and recently released new footage for his seventh NFL season. The former Texas Longhorn re-signed with Kansas City on a one-year contract, ending the speculation that he might have interests elsewhere around the league. He has already made a positive impact on his teammates during the offseason with his commitment to the franchise and his readiness for the new year. Since joining the Chiefs in 2023, Omenihu has collected eight sacks in 17 games. He has missed significant time due to injury and suspension, but seeks a full season in 2025.
USA Today
12-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu describes his free agency experience: 'Let my ego down'
Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu describes his free agency experience: 'Let my ego down' The Kansas City Chiefs are focused on making another run back to the Super Bowl with essential re-signings of veterans during free agency. One of their crucial players returning in 2025 is defensive lineman Charles Omenihu, who explained his reasons for staying in Kansas City during his press conference earlier in the week. "Obviously, I think – I'd say the time that I did miss held weight in teams, and then obviously, it'd be difficult for anybody to look the same from injury and then after injury, so those two factors were something that I dealt with in free agency," said Omenihu. "Then, there's a time where you come to a point in the decision-making that you do kind of what makes football sense at the time. You throw your ego out of it, and you think long term and you think clear." Omenihu re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year contract, ending the speculation that he might have interests elsewhere around the league. "There's just a space where you feel like 'Okay, I've got to kind of let my ego down' and think about what's going to be best long term, and I found it to coming back to an organization that I know, coaches I know (and) a system I know. A system that, again, like I said, before I got hurt – I don't like really moping in the past, but I was on a very, very good pace," said Omenihu. "A very fast, rapid pace. So, with that, getting a whole year, getting a whole offseason – I literally just came back from my workout, so getting that, I feel like, will bode well in my favor. Also, in the team's favor because, I mean, (if) I do well, we all do well." Since joining the Chiefs in 2023, Omenihu has collected eight sacks in 17 games. He's missed significant time due to injury and suspension, but he seeks a full season in 2025.
New York Times
10-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Chiefs' Charles Omenihu vows to maximize his deal with a career year
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — He waited longer than he wanted. He waited days, then a couple of weeks, before knowing which team he would play for in the upcoming season. As an unrestricted free agent, defensive end Charles Omenihu didn't want to sign a one-year, prove-it deal. Every team that was interested in Omenihu, however, shared two concerns with him last month during the opening days of NFL free agency: The last time he played a full season was 2022, and he played just nine games last season after rehabbing from tearing the ACL in his right knee, the most significant injury of his career. Advertisement 'There's a time where you … you do what makes football sense,' Omenihu said Wednesday. 'You throw your ego out of it and you think about what's going to be the best (decision) long term. I found it to be coming back to an organization I know, coaches I know and a system I know. If I do well, we all do well.' Once Omenihu realized he would be restricted to a one-year deal, he chose to return to the Chiefs, his employer the past two seasons, on a contract where he can earn up to $7 million if he achieves certain incentives. 'I wanted to come back and I love being here,' he said. 'It wasn't too much of a hard decision when the opportunity presented itself to do that.' Back with the Chiefs, Omenihu is optimistic that having a full offseason to train for the regular season — instead of rehabbing his knee — will present him with an opportunity he's never had in his six-year career: earning a starting role. Omenihu wants to maximize an increase in snaps, too, by having a career year in 2025, surpassing the seven sacks and 11 quarterback hits he had in just 11 games in 2023. 'I had my career year in a shortened season,' Omenihu said, referencing starting the 2023 season after serving a six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. 'I've improved as a player, so I foresee that continuing, this year being my third year in the system.' The biggest moment in Omenihu's career came in the Chiefs' victory over the Ravens in the 2023 AFC Championship Game. Omenihu flashed his speed from the edge and strip-sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson, a fumble that was recovered by fellow defensive end George Karlaftis. But on the Ravens' next offensive snap, Omenihu tore his ACL when he tried to tackle Jackson. More @charless_94 plays like these? YES PLEASE. — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 28, 2025 Omenihu spent most of the tedious, grueling days during his nine-month rehab with Tiffany Morton, one of the Chiefs' athletic trainers, and Greg Carbin, the team's assistant strength and conditioning coach. The toughest part of his rehab was during training camp in July and August when he was trying to rebuild the strength in his right knee. Advertisement 'Obviously, it would be difficult for anybody to look the same from the injury and after the injury,' he said. 'Seeing the growth and progress I've had in the offseason, I definitely could see that it was kind of crazy that I was playing (last year), to be honest. But I wanted to do anything to be on the field with the guys and to help the team.' Even though he wasn't at his athletic peak, Omenihu's return still helped the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl. His presence and versatility on the defensive line boosted the Chiefs' pass rush, with Karlaftis the biggest beneficiary. Omenihu also allowed Chris Jones to rush more often from the edge. Omenihu finished the regular season with six tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. In the final minute of Chiefs' win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, Omenihu delivered a loud message while standing on the Chiefs' sideline, one that was more for himself than his teammates or the fans. 'I get to play in the Super Bowl!' Omenihu said, in a moment captured by NFL Films. 'I get to play in a Super Bowl!' Full circle.. — Charles Omenihu (@charless_94) January 28, 2025 But two weeks later, Omenihu said he was devastated when he walked off the field after the Chiefs were blown out in Super Bowl LIX by the Philadelphia Eagles. Omenihu finished with three tackles. 'Every play matters, and you've got to come ready to play from play one,' Omenihu said of the lesson he learned from the Super Bowl. 'That's the biggest thing because there's not much margin for error in that type of game. The motivation is to get back to the top.' The Chiefs will begin their offseason program in less than two weeks. Voluntary practices will start in late May. Omenihu plans to participate in the team's on-field activities. Even earlier this week, he said he noticed during workouts that his explosiveness, athleticism and strength are continuing to improve, which should set him up for a pivotal season in his career. Advertisement 'God willing, I'll be able to play the (season) opener,' Omenihu said. 'I haven't played Game 1 since my fourth year in the league. I'm going on Year 7. I know I'm a talented player. It's like you climb the hill, climb the hill and then a rock hits you in the face. Now, hopefully, I can climb this hill and I don't have too much debris hitting me. '(I want to) give this organization a full (season) to be like, 'OK, this is Charles Omenihu.'' Safety Mike Edwards, a six-year veteran, was thrilled late last month when he learned he could reunite with the Chiefs with a one-year, free-agent deal. After speaking with general manager Brett Veach and longtime defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Edwards was eager to return to the team he helped win the Super Bowl in 2023 as a valuable rotational defender. 'Spags is just a real creative guy, a mastermind,' Edwards said. 'He likes to mix everything up so the offense doesn't really know what we're doing. We can have guys all over the place (in the secondary) doing different things and be interchangeable. I can play all over the field. He's just a great coach.' Having déjà vu 😄 @M__Edwards7 — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 8, 2025 A year ago, Edwards joined the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal. But he never found a concrete role with the Bills, appearing in just three games before being released. He played five games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late last season, including two starts. Back with the Chiefs, Edwards is projected to be the third safety and play a good number of snaps behind starters Bryan Cook and Jaden Hicks. The Chiefs will be thrilled if Edwards can produce production similar to what he did in 17 games in 2023 — 51 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, one sack, five pass breakups and a touchdown. But this time, Edwards acknowledged that he will take on more of a leadership role for his fellow defensive backs since he's 28 and former starting safety Justin Reid joined the New Orleans Saints in free agency last month. Advertisement 'This time, I know all the players and coaches and the playbook,' Edwards said. 'As far as taking a leadership role with J-Reid being gone, I'll try to follow his footsteps as best I can, being the older guy in the (secondary) room. I feel I can do that because I have the respect from the coaches and my fellow teammates.'
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Charles Omenihu explains decision to re-sign with Kansas City Chiefs in free agency
Charles Omenihu explains decision to re-sign with Kansas City Chiefs in free agency The Kansas City Chiefs were able to retain a key piece of their defensive line in free agency by re-signing veteran pass rusher Charles Omenihu. Despite suffering a major knee injury in his first season with the Chiefs, Omenihu has been a difference-maker as part of Kansas City's ferocious front four. During a press conference this week, Omenihu told reporters what he hopes to accomplish with the Chiefs moving forward: "I had my career year in a shortened season that I had my first year with the Chiefs," Omenihu explained. "So, obviously, it's obvious that that – it equates to that the system is doing well, the coaching is doing well. I've improved as a player. I foresee that continuing, being this is my third year in the system, so I know the system now like the back of my hand.' Expect Omenihu to be one of the most important defensive contributors next season as Kansas City looks to earn its chance to play in a fourth consecutive Super Bowl.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs scouting report: Missouri Tigers DE Johnny Walker Jr.
The Kansas City Chiefs recently re-signed Charles Omenihu to keep their defensive front intact, but they need to add some new faces through the 2025 NFL draft. Philadelphia's offensive line exposed Kansas City's limitations along the defensive front during Super Bowl LIX. The Chiefs should select several new linemen this spring. Missouri Tigers defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. boasts an impressive frame. His 33" arms don't stand out in a crowded edge rusher class, but he excels at maximizing their reach and disruptive power. Walker keeps offensive linemen out of his frame with his combative hands. When linemen breach his defenses, he attacks their arms at the elbow to neutralize the threat. Walker's pass rush plan includes chops, long-arms, rips, spins and speed rushes through the B-gap. He channels power through his arms and drives his legs to put offensive linemen on their heels and walk them into the pocket. He converts speed into power for some explosive pass rush wins. Walker lacks ideal bend but shows flashes of using his long strides to whip around the corner and penetrate the pocket. Play of the Day No. 19: Here's Johnny! Missouri's Johnny Walker rips under right tackle Elijah Pritchett before dropping the hammer on Jalen Milroe (Missouri vs. Alabama, 2024). #POTD — Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) March 10, 2025 Walker lacks the elite burst and speed to provide a consistent presence rushing off the edge. His bull rush gradually wears down, and he lacks the counters to revive his attack. Walker's limited bend prevents him from winning quickly around the offensive tackle's outside shoulder. Walker uses his length and natural power to stack blocks at the point of attack in the run game. His block shedding technique and timing need to improve, but he meets the physical requirements to become a reliable run defender. Walker's power profile as a pass rusher and work at the point of attack make him a stout lineman whose game mimics some current Chiefs. Despite a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl, Walker didn't receive an invitation to the NFL Combine. He projects as a fifth or sixth round selection. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2025 NFL draft scouting report: Missouri Tigers DE Johnny Walker Jr.
