Super Bowl Domination

Chapter 950 Long-term Vision
Calm, composed and confident.

Levi nodded slightly, "Of course, I look forward to a record-breaking contract, and more importantly, I look forward to the sincerity shown by the team."

Previously, Levi had expressed his beliefs and goals to Vicky——

His patience and concentration come not from contentment but from ambition.

In fact, in Levi's view, Vic's choice to start contract negotiations with him during this offseason was itself part of the strategy.

Before Hunter left the team, he was already fanning the flames within the team, trying to renew his contract in advance. Judging from the way Vic tested Levi at that time, Vic had no intention of discussing a contract extension with the sophomore running back.

However, a lot has happened since then, including Hunter's departure, the team's defense, and the glory of the regular season MVP.

Veitch realized that if he waited until the end of the third year to discuss the contract extension, Levi's bargaining chips might increase, and then the Kansas City Chiefs would be in a real dilemma. On the one hand, they had to satisfy Levi and the fans' expectations, and on the other hand, they had to consider the attitude of the league and other teams.

Once the value of a running back completely reverses, it may have a ripple effect, and running backs across the league will probably unite to protest.

Just look at the toughness and iron-fisted approach the Pittsburgh Steelers took in handling the Bell issue. Despite being criticized by thousands of people, other teams are actually on the side of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So, after careful consideration, Vecchi started negotiations a whole season in advance.

It was precisely because Vic knew that Levi had been brewing a storm.

Levi never avoided this issue.

"but."

Levi changed the subject and Mahomes, who was excited and happy, was slightly stunned. Why was there a twist?

"I'm not going to exhaust all the fish in the pond."

Mahomes didn't understand what Levi meant.

A smile rose on Levi's lips.

"Do you know why Revis has so much bad reputation? Because he fights for the compensation he deserves?"

"No, because he is insatiable in his pursuit of more, more, and more, which hurts the interests of others on the team and squeezes the salary space of others on the team."

"The NFL has a hard salary cap. The upper limit is there and no one can cross it. Therefore, every team has a team dedicated to calculating the salary cap. They are responsible for monitoring every contract and every transaction to ensure that the team does not violate the league rules and suffer backlash."

"If one person's salary increases, it means that other people's salary space is compressed, and not everyone is willing to sacrifice their own interests."

"That's why the offseason for Super Bowl champions is often a game where the general manager must give up some players to free up salary space and renew contracts with other more valuable or more important players."

"Every year the roster can change dramatically, and that's where everything comes from."

"Revis asked for more again and again, even though his contract had not expired. He thought he had just completed an excellent season, but he also asked the team to renegotiate his contract. Such greed not only led to the compression of the salary space of other players, but also destroyed the atmosphere in the locker room."

Now, Mahomes understands, "because he only considered himself and not the entire team."

Even after joining the Kansas City Chiefs, Revis is still a lone wolf. He is never a member of a team, but just a lone wolf fighting for himself.

Levi nodded slightly.

"Last season, Cousins ​​joined the Minnesota Vikings and signed a historic fully guaranteed contract. Logically, this should have made history, and the players would be able to emulate him and strive for more benefits in the future. But this is not the case. Obviously, the players don't like him."

"Do you know the reason now?"

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars both made it to the conference finals, but unfortunately they failed to go further. Both teams were gearing up for the new season. However, the reality is cruel, and both teams eventually missed the playoffs.

Among them, the Minnesota Vikings, who spent a lot of money in the offseason, were undoubtedly the most shocked.

Mahomes paused and didn't speak for a long time.

Suddenly, Mahomes looked up at Levi, with a hint of hesitation in his expression.

"Rookie, did the team choose to cut Justin and Eric in order to negotiate a contract extension with the two of us?"

The clues were connected in this way.

For Mahomes and Levi, it was good news; but for Houston and Berry, it was a farewell announcement.

Levi wasn't going to sugarcoat it, "Partly, yes."

Although the reasons behind Houston and Berry's departure are far more complicated than this, it is undeniable that Vecchi is making a comprehensive plan, and there is gain only when there is sacrifice, so they became the objects to be abandoned.

Mahomes let out a long breath, slumped down on the sofa, and once again experienced the cruelty of professional sports firsthand.

Mahomes glanced at Levi and said, "So, what are you going to do?"

Levi, "I am not Captain America, willing to sacrifice myself for others. I will still fight for my own interests, and this will not change."

“But I’m not prepared to sacrifice what’s really important for short-term gain.”

Mahomes, “What do you mean?”

Levi: "I still expect a record-breaking contract, but I am not going to fight for an unbelievable number. There is no need to be too greedy."

"Maybe, we can sign a long-term contract and take a longer-term view."

"I know that the league is developing rapidly now, the hard salary cap is increasing every year, and the average salary of players is also rising sharply. Signing a long-term contract means that after three to five years, the contract may become pitiful."

"But rather than annual salary figures, we should focus on the balance of the team."

"Maybe the team can use the salary space to sign more outstanding players, promote more young rookies, and finally form a strong team."

"Salary is important, very, very important. This is a professional league. If someone says that salary is not important, they are 100% deceiving themselves. But at the same time, the team is also important because it is the basis for us to win and win the championship."

"It is more important to continue to maintain the team's competitiveness than salary."

In the NFL, top players like Brady, Brees, and Manning have all taken the initiative to restructure their contracts and reduce their annual salaries. They are not pursuing those numbers, but helping the team build a more competitive team and strive for the final Super Bowl championship.

This is also Levi's foresight——

Fight for what you deserve, but there is no need to obsess over making history.

The result of greed is that you end up leaving the sport with nothing except a few more numbers in your bank account.

"And, to be honest, these annual salaries are not as much as my endorsement income."

"If we can stay competitive and continue to win championships, the income outside the arena and the prize money inside the arena will continue to roll in."

"This account is not that difficult."

(End of this chapter)