Commanders new DE Charles Omenihu: “I think it’s really fun to be able to rush [from] anywhere”

Defensive end Charles Omenihu, a 6’5”, 280 pound defensive end, signed this week in free agency with the Washington Commanders, adding a proven edge rusher with size, length, and a power-to-speed combination that fits multiple pass-rush roles. A former Texas standout with several productive NFL seasons, Omenihu brings experience as both a down lineman and situational edge; he’s shown the ability to set the edge vs. the run while offering a consistent interior-to-edge pass-rush presence.

Omenihu’s

strengths include a violent first punch, natural bend around the corner, and long arms that allow him to disengage from blockers and influence the quarterback even when not recording sacks. He has a track record of generating pressure—using a mix of power moves and sudden burst—and he can anchor against bigger blockers, which will help Washington shore up the run defense on early downs. On third downs and rushing situations, Omenihu’s ability to win one-on-one matchups should translate to more consistent pressure packages and stunt opportunities for the Commanders.

Beyond on-field traits, he brings playoff experience (and a Super Bowl championship ring) and a veteran approach to technique and preparation, which can be valuable in both the locker room and developing younger linemen. Washington’s defensive staff can deploy the 28-year-old in multiple alignments—standing in subpackages, hand-in-the-dirt on obvious passing downs, or sliding inside on stunts to exploit matchups.

Health and snap management will be key to maximizing his impact. He has played 17 regular season games only twice in his career (2022 & 2025), with an ACL tear in 2023 and a chronic ankle issue in 2024. When fully available, Omenihu offers the kind of rotational depth that elevates a front seven’s overall effectiveness, averaging 4 sacks per 17 games for his 7-year career.

Expect him to compete for significant snaps early, immediately contributing to pressure rates and run-defense efforts while the Commanders integrate his skill set into their front. His signing signals a clear move to tighten the pass rush and add veteran edge-play versatility to Washington’s defense.

Recently, Omenihu was in Ashburn to sign his new contract, and while he was there, took a few minutes to introduce himself to the local sports media.

Omenihu started out talking about his playoff experience. “I’ve been to 4 conference championship games; 2 in the NFC, 2 in the AFC. I’ve been to 2 super bowls, won one.” He added that his playoff experience can help the Commanders program, which he said is “right there, honestly”. He referred to himself as a ‘finishing piece’ and stressed his versatility up and down the line of scrimmage, adding the words, “tenacity, length, size, and again, being able to rush and [have an] impact in the pass and the run game.”

With respect to his injury history, Omenihu said that his knee is “perfectly fine”, stressing that he’s 2 years removed from the injury and repeating that he feels great.

He explained his success as an interior rusher, stressing that he feels comfortable rushing anywhere he can get a one-on-one, repeating that his size and length allow him to win those matchups. “I did it in college, I did it when I got drafted in Houston; I did it with the Niners; I did it with the Chiefs. I think it’s really fun to be able to rush anywhere.”

Asked why he chose to sign with Washington, Omenihu said, “I think the attraction was just the plan, and that starts from the top. I’ve known [Adam Peters] since I was with the Niners, so I know that he understands exactly what it’s supposed to look like. Coach Quinn has had success everywhere he’s been, especially with defensive linemen. Coach [Eric] Henderson [the DL coach] is another guy who…has won a super bowl. I’ve had many conversations with him and I just love their plan for me, honestly.” He added that he feels that the coaching and schematic plan in Washington will allow him to replicate his 2023 season (when he had a career-high 7 sacks).

He added that Washington’s free agency has been impressive: “I’ve been in the league for 8 years now, and a lot of these guys I know personally. There’s a lot of really really good players that they’ve brought in.” He added that he expects “big strides” in Washington this year as a result, and that the defense would be a big part of the winning.

He described culture as “the building block of any organization” and talked about how being ‘genuine’ allows players to dial in on what matters.

Omenihu discussed the expected Commanders defensive scheme and his expected role in it, implying that he would have a role in an ‘under’ front, and feeling good that the Commanders have a clear plan for the defense they are putting together, with specifics for the run game (a lot of one-on-one blocks) and the pass game (“rushing inside — I can’t wait, honestly”). He mentioned belief in 4-man and 5-man fronts, games and stunts, then mentioned “my boy, Oweh; K’Lavon, JK [Javon Kinlaw], Payne, and Dorance [Armstrong] when he gets right — and Leo [Chenal], my boy Leo’s here!” He added that Payne had done it for a long time in Washington and that the others have done will in many different places, saying, “they just know how to rush”.

Asked to talk about his former teammate Leo Chenal, Omenihu was effusive: “He takes no prisoners. He’s versatile; Leo’s a great blitzer, has really really good coverage skills — I know people might be asleep on that, but Leo can run with the best of them. He can play anywhere. He’s played on the edge, in the box as a backer; he’s been a blitzer; he’s been a spy, [and] he has great speed. In the locker room, he’s a high energy, positive guy. I’ve never seen Leo mad.”

Omenihu called himself a ‘Swiss army knife’ who can play 4i, 5, 6, and 9, adding “If they ever asked me to drop, I’ve done that”. He said he can rush from anywhere on the field: “I can rush the center, I can rush 2i, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 — there’s no place on the field I haven’t rushed.”