Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1575 - 1574: Shared Goal

Undoubtedly, everyone has their own thoughts, and everyone thinks differently—

The definitions of sacrifice, self-worth, salary expectations, their position in the team, the weight of personal value, and championship significance, etc.

All are different.

It’s predictable that every off-season, a football team has to handle fifty-three different viewpoints clashing, and mastering the situation is an art.

Currently, it’s the same; Chris Jones’ contract is placed before Kelsey, and the difference is apparent—how can Kelsey position himself?

However, Veach is not worried. He can finalize an agreement with Chris Jones, indicating he has thoroughly deliberated the situation.

In an era ruled by passing, the value of offensive and defensive lines indeed continues to rise, refreshing every year.

Honestly, compared to the current highest salary of defensive lines in the league, Chris Jones is not up to par. Other defensive lines during off-season renewals often benchmark the highest salary, either breaking records to become the league’s best or tying records to prove their status.

But Chris Jones hasn’t.

Not only hasn’t, but he hasn’t even cracked the top five. Names like Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald, Cameron Jordan, and DeForest Buckner remain ahead of Chris Jones.

In Veach’s view, Chris Jones’ request is reasonable, at least within a reasonable range.

Last season, Veach exercised Chris Jones’ fifth-year option, amidst the rebuild of the defensive group, aiming to assess Chris Jones’ performance, and he ultimately delivered a perfect answer sheet; thus, keeping the new leader of the Kansas City Chiefs Defense with such a contract—

Entered Kansas City through the draft, inheriting the defensive group legacy and maturing into a spiritual leader, forming the foundation of the Kansas City Chiefs’ future hopeful young lineup.

Worth it!

Step by step, Veach steadily completes renewals, gradually drawing the blueprint of the Kansas City Chiefs’ main squad for the next five years.

Veach is very satisfied with the result before him, especially with Watt joining, the Kansas City Chiefs Dynasty has set sail, continuing forward.

However, this is still not the whole picture.

Although Li Wei and Mahomes’ contracts need to be in effect next year, then the salary cap will face significant pressure; actually, the hard salary cap pressure exists annually, this year is no exception, Watt’s signing, Kelsey and Chris Jones’ renewals challenge the salary cap limits in real-time.

Therefore, whether willing or not, the Kansas City Chiefs still need to cut players, trade, and restructure contracts, meeting salary cap requirements before the deadline.

Moreover, the historical peak of "four consecutive championships" looks very challenging and appealing, but not everyone is interested.

Some care about championships, some about historical records, and some about personal value—

Anyway, they’ve tasted the Super Bowl champion, no matter their effort and struggle, ultimately all the glory and fame belong to Li Wei, looking at those sponsors lined up waving checkbooks eager for Li Wei’s favor, then looking at themselves ignored, the disparity is apparent.

Instead of remaining in Kansas City chasing an elusive "four consecutive championships," it’s better to practically pursue a large contract to satisfy their worth.

Such thoughts indeed have considerable demand, maybe it’s puzzling for fans why someone would give up a championship and leave, but just as Li Wei mentioned—

Competitive sports are not only about winning and championships.

Though it wasn’t Li Wei’s exact words, from a certain angle, this is true. Competitive sports are a part of real life, professional players are ordinary people, they need checks for routine maintenance. Maybe Kelsey doesn’t care about that little money, but not everyone is indifferent.

Championships are very important; but checks are equally important.

As a result, negotiations between teams and players may open more possible directions.

In the end, someone did turn and leave, just like two years ago with Alex Smith.

In fact, the first player to turn and bid farewell has connections with Alex Smith.

Two years ago, Alex Smith left for the Washington Football Team, for this, the Kansas City Chiefs received cornerback Kendall Fuller from the Washington Football Team.

Fuller, who struggled at the Washington Football Team, shined after joining the Kansas City Chiefs, not only following the team to two Super Bowl victories but also proving his ability. Maybe he isn’t the league’s top cornerback, but he can still complete his game tasks.

Now, Fuller turns around again—

Returning to the Washington Football Team.

Just like two years ago, he makes a round trip back to where his career began; however, this time the Washington Football Team warmly welcomes Fuller’s return with a sincere four-year 40 million dollar contract.

Fuller thought his "betrayal" wouldn’t be recognized by teammates because another Washington Football Team alumnus Brilland couldn’t understand and even argued with Fuller over it; but unexpectedly, when he left, Li Wei led Mahomes, Kelsey, and a group to specially send him off.

Watching Fuller prepare to leave quietly by clearing out his locker room storages, Li Wei and the others blocked the door, stopping Fuller, "You wouldn’t leave without saying a word, would you? After all, we’ve fought side by side for two seasons, I thought we had some tacit understanding."

Fuller’s eyes welled up, almost losing face.

Fuller was just the first.

Lineman Regland, transferred from the Buffalo Bills in the 2017 season, went to the Detroit Lions.

Safety Jordan Lucas, who mainly rotated the past two seasons, headed to the Chicago Bears to reunite with coach Nagy.

Legend defensive end Terrell Suggs, who signed this season but played under strict control due to injuries, fulfilled his wish and announced retirement.

And so on, and so forth.

Under Veach’s comprehensive layout, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason work proceeded smoothly, without major disruptions, just rotations and adjustments in some positions; relatively speaking, Watt’s joining was the biggest surprise, the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive front performance next season is absolutely exciting to anticipate.

In terms of paper strength, the Kansas City Chiefs have even advanced further compared to last season, not regressing but moving forward, not only avoiding becoming a player warehouse on clearance sale but also united, enhancing strength, the team is wholeheartedly committed with full confidence, early aiming for the four-championship feat—

Low-key, yet not timid,

To be precise, the Kansas City Chiefs have early showcased ambition, not inferior to any team in the league, even compared to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

However!

Truth be told, the Kansas City Chiefs were troubled by the defensive secondary, specifically passing defense, last season, which hasn’t been supplemented this off-season, especially losing Fuller and Regland. Is Veach planning to bet it all on Li Wei and Mahomes leading the offensive group?

Amidst this heat, the bustling free market unfolds, whilst another Rookie Training Camp slowly opens.