The Kansas City Chiefs are in a rare spot atop the NFL hierarchy. On both sides of the ball, the Chiefs possess some of the greatest stars in the current league landscape. But as a team enjoying a stretch as a dynasty, hitting on tertiary signings and finding valuable depth is just as important.
Those necessary glue guys to pair with the highly paid stars are often overlooked. But inside of playoff runs and Super Bowl chances, those are the players that can swift the momentum in a do-or-die game. Kansas City has a few players that have stepped up and made a key difference from the underrated realm.
Who are some overlooked players that the Chiefs should look to retain for 2025? Here are three pieces to keep in mind.
1. Samaje Perine
Samaje Perine is a depth running back who will generally not blow anyone away in the box score. But, there are many different items that he brings to the table. Perine’s track record makes him a reliable player for Kansas City’s offense. His pass catching ability, along with what he can add as a pass blocker, has helped the Chiefs get out of some jams.
His strength in pass protection is something the Chiefs have not really had at running back recently. As a pass catcher, he has remained sure-handed, being able to make every grab seem simple. Meanwhile, Perine can still surprise opponents with how he chews up yards and space after the catch.
Of running backs currently on the active roster, Isiah Pacheco and Carson Steele are set to be back in 2025. It would not hurt for the Chiefs to retain a versatile, veteran piece alongside those two next year. Perine will turn 30 years old next season. But as we have seen this year, he has remained healthy and spry throughout the full season. Kansas City should continue to trust in Perine going into 2025.
2. Charles Omenihu
We did not get to see a full campaign of Charles Omenihu during his second year in Kansas City. But after suffering a torn ACL in last year’s AFC Championship Game, Omenihu has looked revved up after his return. Overall, the entire defensive line has seemingly been much quicker off of the line of scrimmage since he has come back. From Omenihu himself, his push upfield is quicker than almost any other defensive end.
On the other hand, his pass rush moves and hand counters have been steadily improving. This is a player that is still entering his prime age, so the growth could not be coming at a better time. Add in the different defensive looks and disguises that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo incorporates, and Omenihu being able to align in different spots is an added bonus.
When Omenihu has been on the field the last two seasons, the Chiefs’ pass rush has been at their best. Offensive tackles have struggled with balance and timing when he is part of the attack. And in most games, the pass rush appears to get home faster as a unit when Omenihu is involved. K.C. could look to bring him back quickly once the offseason comes.
3. Tershawn Wharton
Tershawn Wharton re-signed with the Chiefs last offseason on a one-year deal. Quietly, that has been one of the most impactful moves for Kansas City’s defense this year. According to Pro Football Focus, Wharton has generated 33 pressures and 22 hurries this season. But even in the run game, he has chipped in on numerous stops. Not many fans of other teams are going to recognize the work that Wharton does. But if he were to walk out the door to a new squad, he has the chance to boost any defensive line room that he goes to.
Wharton is another player who align in different gaps across the defensive line. You have a defender here who can win with heavy hands and adequate lateral quickness. Out of some of the recent Chiefs defensive performances, Wharton has been the one standing out routinely making stops and stalling drives to get his group off the field. When looking at how bare the defensive line depth chart is for next season, Kansas City would be wise to retain Wharton again.
