Chiefs' Charles Omenihu thinks he could have had double-digit sacks in 2023
We discussed it when it happened – that the Kansas City Chiefs signing Charles Omenihu this offseason was a move that fans would love. In a way, it was a steal. Omenihu didn't have the sack numbers last season, but he had the high-pressure rate and the high total pressure numbers.When the Chiefs snagged him […]
We discussed it when it happened – that the Kansas City Chiefs signing Charles Omenihu this offseason was a move that fans would love. In a way, it was a steal. Omenihu didn't have the sack numbers last season, but he had the high-pressure rate and the high total pressure numbers.
When the Chiefs snagged him in free agency, these were the numbers they were looking at:
Last season (2022), edge rushers who had a higher pass-rush win rate than Omenihu: Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, Micah Parsons, Za'Darius Smith, and Trey Hendrickson. Per Pro Football Focus, his pass rush win rate was 20.7%, higher than Chris Jones' 20.4%, the highest at his position in 2022 with the San Francisco 49ers. Omenihu was also in the top 16 in all players' total pressures, with 62.
The Chiefs needed to replace Carlos Dunlap and Frank Clark without hindering Felix Anudike-Uzomah's and George Karlaftis' development too much. They found the perfect guy for that situation, as Omenihu does not always have to play outside. Some of his best work sometimes comes from inside on obvious passing downs.
With a playoff game under his belt, Omenihu has been worth the investment a season later. In only 11 games, the former Texas Longhorn has been an elite addition and a big reason the Chiefs have the best defense of any team remaining on the AFC side of the playoffs and maybe the best defense overall.
And just to think, it could have been even better.
"I had seven sacks in 11 games," Omenihu said in the locker room recently. "There are guys that had seven sacks in 17 games. I think I proved that I'm a dominant player. I can be a disruptive player. I think I proved my worth. I feel like if I had the whole season, we are talking double digits in my opinion. That's just me being real, to be honest."
Omenihu is standing on business, as he knows what would have happened had he played the entire season. The free agency addition was suspended for six games to start the season due to a non-football-related incident that everyone has since moved on from, but you can't help but think about the fact the Chiefs almost had three pass rushers with double-digit sacks.
The NFL won't be ready for the Chief's pass rush next season when we get to see Omenihu up front for potentially 17 games, along with Karlaftis, who has shown crazy development as well. This defense is here to stay for a while.
Charles Omenihu reminds 49ers what they’re missing in Chiefs debut
He made an instant impact.
