Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1565 - 1564: Failed Ban

Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, not only patient but also sincere.

Li Wei used his charisma to persuade Watt, and his tireless effort and unyielding attitude finally succeeded in winning over Watt and leveraging the situation.

However, when O’Brien found out, he flew into a rage. To him, this was nothing short of betrayal, no other explanation, a blatant betrayal.

Not only did O’Brien give Veach the cold shoulder, but he also confronted Watt directly in the locker room, even tearing their relationship apart.

O’Brien laid down some harsh words.

"Even if you rot on Houston’s bench, you will absolutely never join Kansas City. You think you’re a hero in Houston, but in front of the team and the championship, you’re worthless. You may be willing to bend over backwards for them, but I can’t stand it. I have pride, I have dignity. I won’t allow you to disgrace us by groveling."

Embarrassing. Ugly. Horrifying. Dirty.

Everything was out in the open now.

According to inside information from Houston, even then, Watt was still tormented by his conscience. Although he had made a decision, things were not that simple, so Watt kept distracting himself with training, forcing himself not to think too much, and not to act on emotions.

However, the locker room rupture became a turning point; O’Brien’s attitude was one thing, but Watson’s attitude was another.

Watson watched coldly from start to finish, lost in indulgence, unable to extricate himself from the comforts of the off-season, seemingly not yet sobered up.

The team was already on the brink, and yet the main quarterback was in such a state; this finally solidified Watt’s determination to leave Houston.

Thus, Watt bypassed O’Brien and went directly to the team owner to negotiate. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The relationship completely broke down, irreparable. Things eventually reached this point.

Despite O’Brien’s authority as head coach, Watt had given his entire youth to Houston and was close to the team owner and management.

Watt laid his cards on the table with the owner.

Nobody knows what they talked about, all anyone knows is the result—the owner agreed to Watt’s transfer request.

However, Watt still had a contract, and he wasn’t completely free. O’Brien’s attitude was firm, completely shutting down the possibility of joining the Kansas City Chiefs.

Thus, the ensuing uproar involved half the league, with everyone eager to get Watt.

Indeed, Watt was very close to signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, both sides had reached a preliminary agreement on contract numbers. Watt was eager to play alongside TJ and Derrick; however, the Steelers’ salary cap couldn’t handle it, even if Watt lowered his annual salary, it still wouldn’t work.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were preparing to internally restructure contracts, and Watt heard about it. Rumor had it the Steelers were considering restructuring the contracts of the defensive line—

TJ Watt included.

Watt didn’t want his joining to lead to TJ restructuring his contract, so he hesitated at the last moment.

Then, Watt turned again to the Kansas City Chiefs to see if they could match the contract hopes he had with the Houston Texans.

Although the Kansas City Chiefs had recently renewed contracts with Li Wei and Mahomes, thanks to rookie benefits, the team’s salary cap was always in a reasonable tier structure, a slight adjustment could accommodate Watt’s contract.

At the crucial moment, Veach showed decisiveness, not only agreeing with Watt but also personally calling the Houston Texans’ owner, bypassing head coach and team manager O’Brien.

Everything happened in a flash, completely overturning the league’s landscape.

Who would have thought the situation in front of us was due to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ attempt to restructure TJ Watt’s contract to make room for JJ Watt, only to have it backfire? The picture of the Watt brothers reunited in Pittsburgh was just a step away, only needing a signature, collapsing right at the finish line.

No wonder Steelers’ head coach Tomlin and quarterback Roethlisberger looked unhappy, unable to conceal it during interviews.

Also enraged was Texans’ team manager and head coach O’Brien.

O’Brien had a monopoly in Houston, believing he held absolute control. Looking at Hopkins’ fate tells you enough: even as the team’s top wide receiver and a league superstar, O’Brien decided to sell him, even at a discount, with no problem—it was all up to him.

O’Brien even considered transferring Watt at a low price to a weak team with no championship contention, as a way to humiliate Watt.

But what happened?

The team owner bypassed O’Brien as team manager and made the call directly, sidelining O’Brien with this stance, issuing a warning:

Who is truly in charge of this team!

O’Brien was furious. Not only was Watt successfully transferred, but he also joined the Kansas City Chiefs as he wished, a slap in the face echoed through the sky.

For this, O’Brien stormed into team owner Janice McNair’s office, demanding an explanation.

O’Brien believed he was justified: The Kansas City Chiefs, the team that eliminated them in the conference finals, their ultimate opponent for the Super Bowl, how could they just trade Watt there? Wasn’t this shooting themselves in the foot?

But in McNair’s eyes, it wasn’t a problem—

The terms were enough.

The Kansas City Chiefs not only showed sincerity but also made room under their salary cap to expand their roster. What was there to be dissatisfied with?

For McNair, it was merely a math problem, so simple.

"As for the Super Bowl, if you’re so afraid of the Kansas City Chiefs, admitting defeat before the fight, then just say it. I can replace the head coach immediately."

Nonchalantly yet overwhelmingly, O’Brien was left speechless.

McNair was particularly upset, "JJ said it, between you and him, I chose you. I believed you could lead the team to the Super Bowl. Who is JJ? All these years, two major injuries and countless minor ones make him a negligible concern. I helped the team remove a burden, yet you still lack confidence to win? Then why not just hang yourself with a belt right now."

"If you aren’t strong enough for that, then just stand outside, piss on yourself, and die of shame."

So, the matter concluded, all controversy, all chaos silently vanished into the void.

And the League?

A chorus of cheers, exclamations echoed, Goodell couldn’t wait to roll out the marketing and promotion—

"When Watt meets Li Wei, this is Football."

The League seized the moment, exploiting every opportunity to launch a new marketing campaign, no longer emphasizing quarterbacks or offense, but highlighting Football’s team spirit:

"Offense, defense, special teams, none can be missing."

"The moment you step onto the field, you’re a superstar."

"Football, a game of fifty-three players, where everyone is a spark that could ignite a prairie fire at any moment."

And so on.

Last season’s overwhelming wave of controversy, defensive players’ protests, and offensive players led by running backs shining brilliantly, all converged into a trickle, incorporated into the League’s new promotional efforts.

It must be said, Goodell still had the upper hand, capitalizing effortlessly, never missing an opportunity.