Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu had a career-year in 2023 and believes he should be compensated for it.
Omenihu played in just 11 games in the regular season, serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, but was a highly productive player in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. In 11 games, he recorded 28 tackles (18 solo), five tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hits.
Making an appearance on NFL Network‘s “Good Morning Football” Monday, Omenihu made the case for why he should get a new contract from the Chiefs.
“I think I did, to be honest,” Omenihu said. “Like you said, seven sacks in 11 games. And then the sack in the championship game to kind of spark off the wave of defensive plays. Finished second on the team in sacks and didn’t have the first six games to catch up with George [Karlaftis] and Chris [Jones]. 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.”
Charles Omenihu recovering from torn ACL
Omenihu, 26, signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Chiefs last offseason. He is owed a base salary of $6.74 million and a cap number of $10.97 million in 2024. Omenihu suffered a torn ACL during Kansas City’s 17-10 AFC Championship Game victory over the Baltimore Ravens. He was sidelined for the Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers and could miss time this season.
“I wish I could have a full season this year to kind of do the same. But I think I showed everybody in the organization [and] everybody in the league that I should be talked about in the, maybe not in the [Nick] Bosa and them, conversation but those guys right after. Guys that when you go and do your game plan, you’ve got to look for 90 out there on the field because if you don’t, I’ll get your quarterback one way or another.”
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