Super Bowl Domination

Chapter 552: Bitter and Sweet
"Hey, David, this is Levi. I want to ask you for help with something."

"Of course, you say."

"The captain will be returning to Kansas City the day after tomorrow to pack up and leave. I'm still in Miami and can't get away. Can you and Charles go over and help?"

"...Levi, Alex went to the Washington Redskins not because of the salary, right?"

"..."

"You don't need to answer. If I'm wrong, just deny it. Alex could go to New York, Buffalo, or Minnesota, but he chose Washington because they were willing to offer draft picks and cornerbacks, right?"

"..."

"Oh, Jesus Christ, what have we done? Sorry, Levi, we're all crazy and overwhelmed by a Super Bowl. I get it, and I'm going to help."

"…Thank you, David."

"Don't worry, we will send Alex off warmly."

In the end, Levi couldn't help it and couldn't bear to see Smith leave alone.

So he called Anderson at the Old Oak Tavern, using the excuse of moving, hoping they could come and help, but Anderson had already noticed.

Fans are often blindly passionate and often trapped in their own limited thinking and unable to see the overall picture; but at the same time, they are also the ones who know the team best.

As the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs' every move during the offseason has naturally attracted attention. The Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, etc. have all been active and have launched a series of drastic actions. They are all the subject of heated discussion in the league.

however.

The Kansas City Chiefs didn't make much of a move.

Last season, the media kept emphasizing the youth of the Kansas City Chiefs, but this shortcoming turned into a major advantage after they won the Super Bowl.

Perhaps, now that this young team is relatively complete, there is no need to make drastic changes, and minor adjustments in some areas will be enough?
At least, that's what Vicky thought.

After the free market opened, the Kansas City Chiefs only completed two actions:

One is Smith's deal.

One is to trade 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 draft pick.

Vecchi's offseason strategy suddenly became clear.

Target, rookie.

Is the Kansas City Chiefs' current team perfect?

No.

But Vecchi is not in a hurry to sign veterans in the free market to fill his shortcomings, and refuses to disrupt his pace for the short-term goal of "defending the title"; the management team is still prepared to select young people from the draft in an orderly manner according to the plan, not only to build a team of their own, but also to cultivate their own system.

In other words, Vecchi's strategy is not to defend the title, but to truly build a team with strong team pedigree through three to five years of planning.

Be patient, careful and determined enough.

In everything, look at the long term and see the overall picture.

Now, looking back at the Kansas City Chiefs' draft strategy last year, although it was Veach's first time as a team manager, behind the bold and aggressive approach was a decisive determination that was based on a clear plan framework.

Whenever you see a player you really like, take the shot when it's time to do so.

Levi, that's right.

So, does this mean that the same is true for Mahomes? Does this mean that from that point on, the future of the Kansas City Chiefs belongs to Mahomes?
Then, look at Smith.

Perhaps, it is precisely because Smith realized Veitch's overall strategy that he was never in this blueprint and there is no place for him in the future.

So, instead of staying in Kansas City and waiting to be replaced, abandoned, and spurned, it is better to take the initiative to give up the position; and use yourself to exchange for the greatest benefit for the team:
If the Kansas City Chiefs need a cornerback, they will get a cornerback. If the Kansas City Chiefs need a draft pick, they will get a draft pick. Of course, it doesn't mean that Smith is selfless. He also strives for the maximum benefit for himself and chooses the path that is most beneficial to him.

But can they blame Smith?
At least, not Anderson.

Levi did not respond on the phone, but the silence, the hesitation to speak, and the reluctance to leave were enough.

Anderson believed they were saying goodbye to a leader, a true chief; but it didn't matter because the Kansas Chiefs now had a new leader and they could and should give Smith a goodbye he earned.

then.

Then there was that scene at Arrowhead Stadium.

The mighty red wave rolled along both sides of the road like a huge wave. In the crowd, a woman in an Argentine tango dance skirt held up a card high, standing out and catching everyone's attention.

It read, "Don't cry for me, Argentina."

But "Argentina" was crossed out with a red pen, and a correction was written right above it: "Alex Smith".

A little wisdom and humor that was easily delivered made people laugh. In just a short while, it spread across social networks and even became a small hot topic.

Unlike Cousins' transfer to the Minnesota Vikings, Smith's transfer to the Washington Redskins sparked another level of discussion and lamentations.

Mahomes saw it and immediately ran out to share it with Levi.

"look."

"Ha." Levi couldn't help laughing, but after that he tilted his head and thought, "Is this context correct?"

Mahomes shrugged. “Does anyone care?”

Levi, "Captain cares. Oh, Alex."

Mahomes was stunned for a moment before he realized, "Alex is no longer the captain." There was a hint of disappointment in his words.

Levi took a deep breath and said, "You should be happy. It's up to you from now on."

Mahomes nodded. "I know, but I'm not sure if I should be happy. I've been waiting for this day since I got the news, but at the same time I feel a little guilty, as if I can't wait to get rid of the captain."

"I know that's how competitive sports are. If I want to be the starter, I need to compete. I need to replace him to become the starting quarterback. There's no need to apologize."

"But now, it's always a bit unpleasant to complete the transition in this way."

"This day has finally arrived, but I don't know if I should celebrate. It's not right to celebrate, but it's also not right not to celebrate."

"Is this normal?"

Levi smiled and said, "Of course." He confirmed without hesitation, "This shows that we are still young and not used to this model. It also shows that we value friendship. Although victory and money are important, there are other things that are equally important and we cannot forget them."

"So, you can feel regret, sigh, guilt or sadness; the only thing you can do is to shoulder the responsibility of being a quarterback and play to your full potential, and don't let the burden of being the starting quarterback down."

"If we can meet him again on the court, we will go all out to beat him; if not, we will do our best to fight to the end of the new season. This is the best way to show your respect and admiration, which is more sincere than any words."

"Believe me, Alex is looking forward to this day too."

"So, why don't we start by training harder tomorrow?"

Mahomes rolled his eyes at the understatement of the words and asked, "More?"

A little bitter, a little sweet.

Mahomes looked at the vast ocean in front of him, and his vision suddenly expanded. The boundless blue spread out, and his eyes were focused on the blue.

(End of this chapter)