Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 552: 551 bittersweet mixed feelings Chapter 552: 551 bittersweet mixed feelings “Hey, David, it’s Li Wei here, I need a favor from you.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“The captain is going back to Kansas City to pack up and leave the day after tomorrow.

I’m still in Miami and can’t get away.

Could I trouble you and Charles to help out?”

“…Li Wei, Alex is heading to the Washington Redskins, and it’s not about the salary, right?”

“…”

“You don’t need to answer.

If I’m wrong, all you have to do is speak up and deny it.

Alex could go to New York, Buffalo, or Minnesota, but he chose Washington in the end because they were willing to offer draft picks and a cornerback, right?”

“…”

“Oh, Jesus Christ, what have we done.

Sorry, Li Wei, we’ve all gone mad, delirious from the Super Bowl Championship.

I’ve got it, I’ll help out.”

“…Thank you, David.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll give Alex a proper send-off.”

So, he called Anderson at the Old Oak Tavern, making the move an excuse, hoping they could come to assist, but Anderson had already sensed something.

Fans are often hot-blooded and blind, trapped in their limited thoughts, unable to see the big picture; yet, at the same time, they are the ones who know the team best.

As the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs’ every move during the offseason naturally drew attention, including actions from teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Minnesota Vikings, etc., who were all making significant moves and were the subject of much discussion in the League.

However.

The actions of the Kansas City Chiefs weren’t that big.

Last season, the media emphasized the youth of the Kansas City Chiefs, a weakness that turned into a significant advantage after reaching the pinnacle as Super Bowl Champions.

Perhaps the young team was already relatively complete and didn’t need to make major changes—minor tweaks within a limited range would suffice?

At least, that’s what Veach believed.

After the start of the free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs only completed two actions:

One was Smith’s trade.

Another was trading cornerback Marcus Peters and a 2018 sixth-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2018 fourth-round draft pick and a 2019 second-round pick.

Veach’s offseason strategy became clear immediately.

The goal: rookies.

Was the current Kansas City Chiefs’ team perfect?

Not at all.

But Veach was in no rush to sign veterans from the free agency to fill in the gaps; he refused to disrupt the pace for the short-term goal of “defending the title” and planned to deliberately pick young players from the draft, creating not just a team, but cultivating a system of his own.

In other words, Veach’s strategy wasn’t about defending the title or not but about creating a strong team with a solid heritage through a three to five-year plan.

It required patience, attention to detail, and firmness.

Everything was about looking at the long term while also seeing the big picture.

Now, looking back at last year’s draft strategy of the Kansas City Chiefs, even though it was Veach’s first time as team manager, the boldness was underpinned by a decisiveness attached to a clear plan—

When they saw a player they genuinely liked, they were ready to make a move.

That was the case with Li Wei.

So, does this mean that Mahomes was the same?

Does this mean that from that moment on, the future of the Kansas City Chiefs belonged to Mahomes?

And then, look at Smith again.

Perhaps it was because Smith realized Veach’s grand strategy, that he was never in this blueprint, that there would be no place for him in the future.

So, rather than staying in Kansas City waiting to be replaced, discarded, and despised, it was better to step aside voluntarily; and in doing so, secure the greatest benefit for the team:

The Kansas City Chiefs needed a cornerback, so there was a cornerback, the Kansas City Chiefs needed draft picks, so there were draft picks.

Of course, this is not to say that Smith was completely selfless, as he also sought to maximize his interests, choosing the path that was most beneficial to himself.

But could they blame Smith?

At least, Anderson couldn’t.

On the phone, Li Wei didn’t give a verbal response, but those silences, those hesitations, those reluctant farewells, were enough.

Anderson believed they were parting with a leader, a true Chieftain; but it was okay because the Kansas City Chiefs now had a new leader, and they could and should give Smith the goodbye he had earned.

And so.

There was that scene at Arrowhead Stadium.

A massive red wave, like a giant surge, stretched continuously along both sides of the road.

In the crowd, a woman wearing an Argentine tango dress stood out, holding high a sign that firmly caught everyone’s gaze.

It read, “Don’t cry for me, Argentina.”

But “Argentina” was crossed out in red ink, and right above it, “Alex Smith” was rewritten as a correction.

A bit of wit and humor, casually thrown in, brought a smile to people’s faces, and in a short while, it spread and gained traction on social media, even becoming a trending topic.

Unlike Cousins’ transfer to the Minnesota Vikings, Smith’s move to the Washington Redskins sparked a different kind of discussion and reflection.

Mahomes saw it and quickly came out to share it with Li Wei.

“Look.”

“Haha.” Li Wei couldn’t help laughing, but then he tilted his head and thought, “Is this context correct?”

Mahomes shrugged, “Does anyone care?”

Li Wei, “The captain cares.

Oh, Alex.”

Mahomes paused and then realized, “Alex is no longer the captain,” he said, with a hint of melancholy in his voice.

Li Wei took a deep breath, “You should be happy, it’s all up to you now.”

Mahomes nodded, “I know, but I’m not sure if I should be happy.

Since I heard the news, I’ve been waiting for this day, but I also feel a bit guilty, as if I couldn’t wait to get rid of the captain.”

“I know, that’s how competitive sports are, if I want to start, I have to compete, I have to replace him, to become the starting quarterback.

There’s no need to be sorry.”

“But now, to complete this transition in such a way, it always feels a bit off.”

“It’s finally here, and I don’t know if I should celebrate.

It doesn’t feel right to celebrate, and it doesn’t feel right not to.”

“Is this normal?”

Li Wei showed a smile, “Of course,” he affirmed, without hesitation, “It shows we are still young, not accustomed to this model; and it also shows that we value bonds.

Although victory and money are important, there are other things just as important, which we must not forget.”

“So, you can feel regret, sigh, be guilty or sad; the only thing you can do is to take on the quarterback’s responsibilities and use all your abilities, not failing the burden of being a starting quarterback.”

“If we can face him on the field again, go all out and beat him; if not, fight with all our might to the end of the new season.

That’s the best way to show respect and admiration, more sincere than any words.”

“Believe me, Alex is also looking forward to this day.”

“So, how about starting from tomorrow with some down-to-earth, intensified training?”

His casual words caused Mahomes to roll his eyes extravagantly, “More intense?”

A bit of bitterness, a bit of sweetness.

Mahomes looked toward the open sea ahead, his view suddenly wide open.

The boundless azure spread out before him, his focus dissolving into the blue.