Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs may have to figure out how to make their program attractive again after a lackluster 2025 NFL season. After leaving in free agency, defensive end Charles Omenihu revealed he felt more intrigued about the game plan proposed by the Washington Commanders for 2026.
“I just love their plan for me, honestly. Before I signed, I had a conversation with the entire staff, the defense, and coach (Dan) Quinn. They illustrated a plan for me that I feel like is going to get me back exactly where I was at two seasons ago, the success that I had,” Omenihu said during his introductory press conference with the Commanders.
When Omenihu talks about the level he showed two seasons ago, he refers to his first year with Reid and the Chiefs. Not even a six-game suspension to start the campaign prevented him from a career-best season.
Omenihu’s impactful 2023 season with Reid, Chiefs
In 2023, Omenihu recorded a career-high 7.0 sacks and 28 combined tackles with 11 quarterback hits, playing a key role in the campaign that led to Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII win.
LIVE: DE Charles Omenihu speaks to the media after signing https://t.co/klF6XhfeHU
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 13, 2026
A torn ACL in the 2024 AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens prevented Omenihu from playing Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, but his contribution throughout the season was still instrumental.
His return from injured reserve came in November, and even though the Chiefs suffered a blowout loss in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team brought him back on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million for 2025.
Omenihu no longer believes Chiefs are the best situation for him
Last season saw the Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and their poor 6-11 record proved that Reid and company would have plenty of work to do this offseason in order to bounce back.
Omenihu, however, shows that he no longer sees Arrowhead as the best place for him. Set to turn 29 in August, he’s moving to Washington for less money than he made in 2025, having agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Commanders.
“I don’t think it’s far-fetched or far-gone at all,” Omenihu said about the Commanders helping him rediscover his 2023 form with the Chiefs. “I feel great body-wise. I just think the plan that they have for me is just really going to expose my strengths and put me in positions to rush, put me in positions to play the run at a high level. And I love that.”
Of course, these kinds of decisions are always personal and other players might still believe in the game plan proposed by Reid in Kansas City. Even so, Omenihu’s explanation could be something the Chiefs want to take into account.
