Mar 1, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansa City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach speaks to the media during the 2018 NFL Combine at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu made an immediate impact in his first year with the team before tearing his ACL and he’s now hoping to earn a huge contract, whether in Kansas City or elsewhere.
Currently on a two-year, $16 million deal that expires after the season, Omenihu has been vocal about his desire to cash in. He’s expected to miss up to half the season while recovering, further complicating matters, but there’s no denying how impressive he looked alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.
That said, he’s just one of many players on expiring contracts, leaving the organization with a series of difficult decisions moving forward.
Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu Wants ‘Generational Wealth’
To Omenihu’s credit, he’s vigorously tackling his rehab despite the difficulty, clearly determined to secure what could be the largest payday of his career.
Reading between the tea leaves though, it looks like any major contract would need to come from another franchise. Chris Jones got paid, George Karlaftis presumably will when it’s his turn, Mike Danna signed a three-year contract, and 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah should fit in somewhere as well.
The Chiefs already have significant resources committed to four players at the same position, so why break the bank for a luxury when other, more pressing positions need funding too?
Patrick Mahomes’ deal is getting progressively more expensive and Travis Kelce is now the NFL’s highest-paid tight end. Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Nick Bolton, and Justin Reid are all in their last year as well. Something has to give, and Omenihu has only been in Kansas City for a cup of coffee compared to those guys.
All of Chiefs Kingdom should be rooting for Omenihu’s recovery and hope that he has a dominant season. If he earns the money he wants, that likely means Kansas City made another deep playoff run. That benefits everyone, even if it signals the end of Omenihu’s time with the organization.