Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1552 - 1551: Two Ends of the Scale

Li Wei knew that continuing the conversation would only rub salt in the wound, potentially hurting Watt.

The problem is, Watt’s emotional ties with Houston are too deep. Watt is someone who values relationships immensely, and if the Houston Texans hadn’t truly betrayed him, or if management hadn’t proposed a trade first, it’s likely Watt would never leave Houston. But Li Wei now has the task of undermining that bond.

So, he had to continue.

"JJ, when does your contract with Houston expire?"

Watt was taken aback, surprised, but he seriously thought about it, "We renewed in 2014 when I was a fourth-year player, so the contract started in 2015, which means..."

Watt looked at Li Wei, "It expires next year."

In 2014, Watt signed a groundbreaking contract with the Houston Texans, breaking the salary cap for defensive players: six years for $100 million, with $51 million guaranteed, the largest deal for a defensive player in NFL history at the time.

However, all these years, Watt has been diligently working even as the league salary cap rises each year, and player annual salaries increase. Big contracts for defensive players keep coming one after another, yet Watt never asked for a raise. The once ground-breaking contract now seems less valuable, even lower than a running back’s annual salary.

Just to compare, Aaron Donald has a six-year deal worth $135 million with $87 million guaranteed; Kareem Mark has a six-year deal worth $141 million with $90 million guaranteed.

Clearly, you can see the value of Watt’s contract. Over the years, he has been doing his part to ease the Texans’ burdens.

This is Watt, a man of true integrity.

Li Wei shrugged lightly, "In my view, this is the time. If Houston is ready to build a team and recognizes your trade value, this year is the opportunity. Waiting until next year will be another story."

"In professional sports, everything is about timing. So, rather than passively waiting for fate, it’s better to take action and seize it."

The real intention of Li Wei was finally revealed.

In other words, it’s to get Watt to leave the Houston Texans voluntarily. That’s the true reason Li Wei invited Watt to the training camp a day early.

An ambush with a plan.

Watt took a deep breath, his heart skipped a beat, and his first thought was, "Li Wei, you’re asking me to betray the team."

"Li Wei," Watt’s address changed, a small detail that showed how shocked and bewildered he was, even if Li Wei had laid so much groundwork, Watt’s emergency reaction was still triggered.

Li Wei was about to explain, but Watt gave him no chance.

"I know, I know, it’s not easy for Houston to break through your blockade, but we are still growing, we are becoming a better team. As team captain, you ask me to turn around and abandon the team now?"

"Sorry, I can’t do it."

Li Wei didn’t stop Watt and patiently waited for him to finish, silently watching his friend, "Can’t do it, or don’t dare to do it?"

Watt froze, his inner softness was poked, and for a brief moment, he felt a bit annoyed with Li Wei because he was too perceptive and reasonable, seeing through his pretense, making him feel embarrassed, cowardly, and even despicable.

Watt glared at Li Wei.

Li Wei immediately raised his hands in surrender, shutting his mouth with an innocent look.

Seeing Li Wei like this, Watt’s anger vanished into thin air, because this guy, after all, was a straightforward person.

Li Wei exhaled a little helplessly, "JJ, you’re really too honest, it makes me feel a bit guilty."

Watt chuckled wryly, "Good to know, then stop now."

Li Wei, "Just a little, a tiny bit guilty, I didn’t misstate it; actually, I’m a bad guy, and this tiny bit of guilt is of no use."

Watt: ...

Seeing Li Wei’s candid expression, Watt couldn’t help but laugh, "Ah, I knew I shouldn’t have asked you to be my best man."

Li Wei nodded earnestly, "Yes, I agree. JJ, remember, never trust a witch easily. Though there might not be a second time, if it happens again, remember not to invite me as your best man, I’m on Kealia’s side."

Watt found himself at a loss with Li Wei, standing there feeling hopeless, but he couldn’t help but start to smile, a sense of absurdity washing over him.

Seeing this, Li Wei deftly guided the conversation back on track.

"JJ, I’m encouraging you to chase your dreams now."

Watt didn’t understand.

"What I mean is, I’m not telling you to betray Houston, of course, Houston hasn’t betrayed you either."

"Everyone is pursuing their dreams. When our goals align, we fight side by side, until our goals differ, then we part ways with blessings and continue in our own ways. This doesn’t mean we become enemies, because we will straightforwardly pursue our dreams, wishing each other good luck, while competing fully for our dreams."

"Fighting for our dreams doesn’t mean we’re not friends anymore."

"You’re the same with the Houston Texans."

"JJ, Houston has been searching hard for their first Super Bowl Championship Trophy. Don’t you also have a dream of winning a Super Bowl?"

"I believe this can be a win-win."

Watt pondered on the "win-win," but there was a hint of sarcasm in his eyes—

Now he seemed to stand on the scales, one side being the Houston Texans, the other side himself.

As Li Wei said, all along, the Texans and his goals were aligned, hence they pulled together, but was it time to part ways now?

Where should the balance tip? Should he continue to sacrifice himself completely for the team, just like the past nine years? Or should he start thinking about his future and his dreams?

Truth and falsehood, reality and illusions, Li Wei is an outsider, ultimately only guessing from fragments of rumors, but Watt is the insider.

When this idea started to sprout, Watt knew, Li Wei had succeeded.

Just like in "Inception," Li Wei planted an idea seed in his subconscious, which, with a little watering, was growing against the wind.

There was a touch of bitterness in the smile, but Watt hid it, looking at Li Wei again, "You’re saying, my development direction is the same as the Kansas City Chiefs?"

Li Wei smiled, "Of course."

"You don’t think we’re content with a three-peat and resting on our laurels, do you?"

Confidence, unwittingly flowed out.

"This offseason, we still have a lot of work to do, our first priority is the defensive group, we need to supplement and optimize the lineup."

"Imagine, next season we still need to face running quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, DeSean Jackson, Josh Allen, and simultaneously we need to brace for powerful running backs like Henry, Barkley, McCaffrey, our defense will still face tough challenges."

Pausing briefly, Li Wei showed a determined smile.

"A four-peat, we want to give it a try."