Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 549: Storm’s Beginning Chapter 549: Storm’s Beginning Even though Li Wei felt somewhat uneasy, Smith, on the other hand, let out a long sigh, setting aside those expectations and beautiful dreams, finally returning to reality.

His head, which had been floating like a hot air balloon among the clouds, cooled down at last.

“How does that saying go?

‘Welcome to the Professional League.'”

“Here, interests always come before the individual.

Before embracing vain and impractical fantasies, everyone must firmly remember this.”

It was eventually a release, a final release.

But still, it remained bitter.

Li Wei wanted to say something but stopped, not knowing how to start.

Smith stopped him, “There’s no need for consolation, your comfort would only make me look more pitiful.

In fact, I’m not that pitiful.”

“Haha.” Li Wei could taste the self-mockery in Smith’s words and realized that since Smith was in the mood to joke, it meant he had gotten over it.

“So, how are you planning to reply to them?”

Smith shrugged nonchalantly, leaned back in his chair, as if he had only now finally entered vacation mode, his face relaxed.

“This way it’s simple, no emotional card, just a pure discussion of interests.

Since they use interests to measure the trade, then I will use interests to weigh my options.”

“I agree with you.

If they’re willing to offer a five-year, two hundred million US Dollar contract, why not?

I’d go to New York to be a cash cow.”

“See how kind I am?

I haven’t even demanded a full guarantee yet.”

Li Wei couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into laughter, “That’s the spirit I’m talking about.”

After the laughter, Li Wei fell silent, and so did Smith, as a brief quiet fell upon them, and the air filled with a touch of melancholy—

No matter what, this was a farewell.

From the NCAA to the NFL, this was the first time Li Wei had experienced such a scene.

Li Wei was curious, “Captain, so how do you feel right now?”

Smith thought for a moment, “Somewhat relieved.

Of course, I had thought about ending my career in Kansas City, after all, I’m already thirty-four, and there’s not much time left for me on the football field.”

“But.”

“That’s life.

Not just the Professional League, life is the same.

Changes always occur, and we are always governed by our emotions, plunging ourselves into trouble time and again, then looking for solutions to continue forward.”

Pausing, Smith turned to Li Wei, a smile creeping back onto his lips.

“However, this time is different from the last; Kansas City is not San Francisco, this time I have the choice, it’s my decision, my choice.”

“So, I can say goodbye with a smile.”

This time, Smith’s smile was truly heartfelt.

Li Wei also revealed a smile, shaking his head lightly.

“You can tell you’re an old guy, it’s not trendy to say ‘goodbye’ anymore, we should say looking forward to the next meeting, anticipating the next showdown.”

“Hey, Alex…”

Smith did not expect Li Wei to suddenly call out his name; as far as he remembered, this was the first time, and Li Wei actually got it right.

“I won’t pull any punches.”

With a single sentence, calm yet resolute, Smith saw the confident light in Li Wei’s eyes and couldn’t control himself anymore, laughing freely and wildly.

Then, Smith picked up his glass, “I look forward to it.”

Raising his glass in the air, he drained it in one gulp.

Smith placed his hands on the desk.

“I hear your training is quite grueling.”

Li Wei lightly raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised that news of the training camp had gotten out.

Of course, they hadn’t intentionally kept it a secret, as there was nothing secretive about it.

Smith said, “A certain bird occasionally asks me some professional questions.”

Ah, Mahomes.

“So, do you have any open spots left?

I figured, since I’m already here in Miami, to avoid attracting attention, I might as well train here too.

You could help me ask JJ if he minds.”

Li Wei’s eyes widened, “Are you sure?

Why on earth would you want that?”

“Ha ha, ha ha ha.”

The laughter echoed in the Miami breeze.

There, Smith indeed stayed in Miami, joining the Watt Training Camp, but Smith was also nursing an injury and was not suited for such high-intensity training.

Therefore, he used the area for his own individual training, occasionally joining in their strategic discussions to share his wisdom.

Staying in Miami kept Smith away from rumors and commotion.

He left all negotiation matters to his agent to avoid exposing Smith in the storm’s center.

It was a wise choice.

Meanwhile, the league offseason was full of tumult, with a series of news breaking continuously.

Not only the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs faced quarterback decisions, the controversies over quarterback performance unfolded in many teams this season.

For instance, whether the Minnesota Vikings should offer Keenum a lucrative contract to keep him.

Or the struggling performance of Bortles of the Jacksonville Jaguars and whether the team should switch their starting quarterback.

And many more.

Because of this, the quarterback market was exceptionally noisy.

When the Kansas City Chiefs confirmed they were in negotiations to extend their starting quarterback’s contract, but progress was still underway, the league received a signal—

Smith might not stay in Kansas City for sure.

A single stone stirred up a thousand ripples.

Although it had happened before that Super Bowl Champion quarterbacks transferred, each occurrence was still a blockbuster, stirring up a whirlwind.

Soon, a multitude of rumors spread, with Smith’s name quickly being associated with the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings, the Denver Broncos, and other teams, sparking fierce competition for the veteran quarterback.

Then, the Washington Redskins surged, attracting Smith with ample salary cap space; however, the Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs diverged on trade terms, leading their negotiations to a deadlock at one point.

At that time, the Minnesota Vikings moved up, joining the intense competition.

Like the Redskins, they, too, had sufficient salary cap space to bring in Smith, and the game quickly evolved into a three-way stand-off.

Just when everyone thought the situation would be at a stalemate for a while, without warning, the Minnesota Vikings exited the competition.

Their contention collapsed instantly, and instead, the New York Giants, who had been patiently and quietly exerting pressure, replaced the Vikings as the strong contender.

In the end, the decision was in Smith’s hands.

Although all of the above were rumors, without any party giving a direct response, neither acknowledging nor clarifying, and the so-called insider information did not reveal any sources, the league swiftly came to know:

Smith was almost certain to transfer to the Washington Redskins, and the Kansas City Chiefs, in the end, were unable to retain Smith.

Rumors indicated that Smith’s requested annual salary exceeded the Kansas City Chiefs’ salary cap burden.

Last season’s draft picks, which included two first-round selections, left the Chiefs with a tighter operational space this season, tying their hands and feet.

Next, they just waited for March 14th, when the league’s official free agency market would open, and then the teams would swarm to announce their signing decisions.

But!

As an unexpected player emerged, just as everyone thought Smith’s destination might be the biggest news on the first day the free agency market opened, the Minnesota Vikings stole all the attention.

A dizzying series of maneuvers shocked the entire league.