New edge rushers Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu break down their decisions to sign with the Washington Commanders in free agency.
After finishing the 2025 season in the middle of the pack in total sacks while ranking 26th in pressure rate 31st in quarterback hurries, a simple change in defensive coordinator wasn't going to be the only move needed to address a disappointing defensive makeup.
Daronte Jones arrived from Minnesota not only to mark a homecoming for the Bishop McNamara High School grad, but also to install a versatile defensive scheme centered around takeaways. Washington's first free agent signing came in the secondary with veteran Raiders and Lions cornerback Amik Robertson arriving to take over the slot after amassing seven forced fumbles and five interceptions over his last four seasons, but the answers came to fruition in the front seven.
The biggest splash of free agency came on Monday after agreeing to terms with Odafe Oweh on a four year deal with $68 million guaranteed and up to $100 million, pairing him with K'Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu.
The trio combined for 18.5 sacks and 58 pressures in 2025. For reference, the Commanders finished with 42 sacks and 121 pressures as a team during the same season, injecting life into a versatile front seven for Washington.
That doesn't include Tim Settle, who will likely take over at nose tackle while ability to play the three tech.
For Oweh, returning to the DMV had its own intrigue given the Baltimore Ravens drafted him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, giving him a chance to return to the area where his sister is. Now in an environment that fits him, Oweh will look to pick up where he left off in Los Angeles after exploding with 7.5 sacks in 12 games as a Charger. Thriving in a new scheme instilled confidence for Oweh, who now arrives in a Commanders defense that is expected to remain a multiple front like defensive coordinator Daronte Jones noted.
"If I'm putting any type of situation, any type of scheme, I think I'm gonna find a way, or I know I'm gonna find a way to create production," Oweh said. "But also at the same time, knowing what I'm good at, and honing in on that and making that my strength so that when it's time for me to give effort to the team I can impact and do a lot and produce for the team in the right moments."
Chaisson, meanwhile, is also coming off a breakout season after posting a career-best 7.5 sacks in ten starts with the Patriots, but he also arrived in Washington on a one-year prove it deal. Maybe the most underrated signing of the three, Chaisson admitted he arrives in Washington looking to do exactly what he did in New England.
"They like the way I played. They liked everything that I've shown on tape. They feel like it's what's best for the system and this team, this organization, the culture and the locker room that we're trying to build," Chaisson added.
As for Omenihu, he becomes an experienced option in the rotation after playing in all 17 games and recording 3.5 sacks in 2025, ending his tenure in Kansas City with 11.5 sacks in three seasons. Also arriving on a one-year deal, the former fifth-round pick upgrades the Commanders rotation that will also feature Deatrich Wise Jr, Drake Jackson and Dorrance Armstrong under new defensive line coach Eric Henderson.
Omenihu also arrives as the second former Chief to sign with the organization this offseason and fourth overall after offensive linemen Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie signed extensions.
"Leo's A class, a teammate, first and foremost. And Leo's a physical, physical, physical player. When you when you watch Leo's tape, you're going to see that he takes no prisoner. He's versatile. Leo's a great Blitzer. I think Leo has really, really good coverage skills. I know people might be asleep on that, but Leo can run with the best of them."