Charles Omenihu, Commanders
Getty
Defensive end Charles Omenihu, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Washington Commanders have rebuilt their pass rush over the first three days of free agency, adding a finishing piece to the defense on Wednesday, March 11.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Charles Omenihu has left the Kansas City Chiefs for a role with Washington in 2026.
“Former Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million with the Washington Commanders, per his agent @DavidMulugheta of Athletes First,” Schefter posted to X.
Adam Schefter
Former Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million with the Washington Commanders, per his agent @DavidMulugheta of Athletes First.
Omenihu, who will play next season at 29 years old, appeared in 34 games for the Chiefs over the past three campaigns, tallying 25 quarterback hits, 11.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss over that span.
He only started two games for Kansas City, serving primarily as a situational edge-rusher and appearing on 55 percent of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps last season, totaling 568 snaps total.
Commanders Bet Big on Pass-Rusher Odafe Oweh With $100 Million Contract
Los Angeles Chargers OLB Odafe Oweh
GettyPass-rusher Odafe Oweh signed a four-year contract with the Washington Commanders in free agency.
Pass-rushing downs will likely prove Omenihu’s specialty again with the Commanders, where he will play across from fellow signee Odafe Oweh.
Oweh is Washington’s splashiest free-agency addition to this point after the team inked the former Los Angeles Chargers pass-rusher to a four-year contract worth $100 million, which includes $68 million in guaranteed money.
“He’s 27 years old, 6-foot-5 and athletic. The Commanders needed all those attributes along the front,” John Keim of ESPN wrote. “Washington lacked quality depth at edge, so this is a move that was sorely needed. … The Commanders are betting big on Oweh being an ascending player. He’s recorded 17.5 sacks the past two seasons combined.”
Oweh has tallied 79 quarterback hits, 34 tackles for loss and 30.5 sacks across his five-year NFL career (79 games played, 27 starts). He started last season slowly as a member of the Baltimore Ravens but turned his production up significantly after that team traded him to L.A. for the last 12 games of the campaign.
Oweh tallied 47 total quarterback pressures in 2025 after tallying 48 pressures the year prior, per Pro Football Focus.
Commanders Loading Up on Defensive Talent Over First 3 Days of NFL Free Agency
GettyDefensive end K’Lavon Chaisson, formerly of the New England Patriots, will play for the Washington Commanders in 2026.
Washington also signed defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson, 26, formerly of the New England Patriots, to a one-year contract to bolster the edge-rush. His deal is worth $11 million total and could jump to $12 million with incentives.
Chaisson’s sack totals have ascended in each of the past two seasons. He put up two sacks in 2023, five sacks in 2024 and a career-high 7.5 sacks last year.
“The Commanders … will return Dorance Armstrong, who recorded 5.5 sacks in six games before tearing his ACL,” Keim continued. “A weakness in 2025 could be — should be, based on the investment — a strength this year.”
Washington also spent on cornerback Amik Robertson, linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Nick Cross and defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. On offense, the Commanders added tight end Chig Okonkwo on a three-year deal and returned backup quarterback Marcus Mariota on a one-year contract worth $7 million.