Chiefs training camp: Emmanuel Ogbah talks Chiefs return, young defensive linemen
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
Emmanuel Ogbah had a feeling his time with the Chiefs wasn’t completely over.
It just took seven years for him to make it back to training camp in St. Joseph.
“I always knew I was going to come back eventually; I just didn’t know when,” Ogbah said Monday. “But it feels good being back.”
There is at least one part of Chiefs training camp he could have lived without seeing again.
“I did not miss the dorms,” Ogbah joked.
Kansas City brought the 32-year-old defensive end back on a one-year deal as the Chiefs look to add experience and depth to their defensive line.
Ogbah’s first stint in Kansas City was brief but memorable.
He joined the Chiefs in 2019 and recorded 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits in 10 regular-season games. A torn pectoral muscle ended his season early, but Ogbah still earned a Super Bowl ring when Kansas City beat San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV.
He spent the next five seasons with the Miami Dolphins before playing for Jacksonville in 2025.
Through it all, Ogbah maintained a relationship with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
“I just knew there was something for me still in Kansas City,” Ogbah said. “Whenever there’s an opportunity, you try to come back, and that was my goal. And I’m glad we were able to make it work.”
He’s also reunited with Chris Jones, another remaining connection to the Chiefs team Ogbah joined in 2019.
Ogbah talked up rookies Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas after watching them in Kansas City’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
“Talented. Talented,” Ogbah said. “It was good seeing them get after the quarterback, playing the run well. They’re young cats, but they’re definitely talented.”
Ogbah has 48 sacks over 10 NFL seasons with Cleveland, Kansas City, Miami and Jacksonville.