Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1588 - 1587: A Bloody Lesson

Not far away, the managers of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cleveland Browns were still eager, and their covetous gazes at Li Wei were barely concealed.

Greed. Exultation. Desire.

If Veach moved any slower, he might have to queue up too, as these guys were blatantly poaching right under his nose!

Is there no justice anymore?

Veach glanced helplessly at Li Wei, "Busy without a moment to catch my breath, huh."

Li Wei, however, appeared exceptionally calm, "I’m not tired; I’m just sitting here chatting away. So, how have your endeavors been so far?"

Looking at the leisurely and carefree Li Wei, Veach couldn’t help but smile. It seemed that even in this circle of shrewd foxes and cunning veterans, Li Wei was still at ease. He didn’t need to worry about the leader of the Kansas City Chiefs, just about his own job—

Is this what Li Wei implied?

Truly, Li Wei was a one-of-a-kind presence, able to remain jovial even when surrounded by hungry wolves. This composure was not limited to the field alone.

In fact, Veach had also been contemplating his position.

Indeed, the Kansas City Chiefs had accomplished the tremendous feat of three consecutive championships, reaching their peak, aiming naturally for a fourth. Everything was on track.

Like the saying in competitive sports goes, nothing solves problems like a championship. If one doesn’t, try two.

However, there’s another saying in the world of sports: capable of enduring hardship together but unable to share prosperity. At the peak is often when internal conflicts arise, causing various thoughts among players. Once cracks appear, they are irreparable, and a dynasty can easily collapse.

After the Los Angeles Lakers’ three-peat at the start of the century, the "OK Combination" fell apart, not only ending a dynasty but also preventing top stars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal from replicating their former glory.

Similar cases are abundant, from basketball to soccer to football; no competitive sport is exempt.

No need to look far; just see the outcome of Brady and Belichick, and it becomes hard not to sigh.

Yet, this is reality; nothing is eternal.

Now, the Kansas City Chiefs also inevitably face a similar situation. The relationship among team manager Veach, head coach Reed, and team captain Li Wei needs defining, not to mention expanding to include team owner Clark and quarterback Mahomes, whose positions are equally crucial.

As Harbaugh said, no team manager wants a player’s authority to surpass their own.

If a team manager loses control over the entire layout, it becomes a latent risk. It could be the first ant hole leading to a dam’s collapse if not careful.

Moreover, the relationships between the team manager and the head coach, the head coach, and the team captain are different; their positioning and nature vary.

Veach had always been avoiding this issue, not out of disregard but fear—

Li Wei’s influence exceeded the limits of imagination.

It’s not just the Kansas City Chiefs; the League now collaborates with yet suppresses him.

Goodell doesn’t want the carefully managed "passing reigns" era to face upheaval, nor does he want running back-led players to unite against the League.

Yet, simultaneously, Goodell needs Li Wei to open overseas markets, laying a foundation for football’s global expansion, a grander, long-term plan.

So mastering balance and measures is an art.

Veach also worries the monster they’ve nurtured could ultimately become a threat to them.

Intentionally or not, Veach resists Li Wei’s further influence, attempting to exclude him from decisions on the Free Market, draft prospects, and personnel choices—

Just like Belichick dealing with Brady.

However, the outcome for Belichick and Brady is clear, as is the case for Denver Broncos manager John Elway and Big Manning.

Blood lessons linger clearly.

Veach must contemplate whether he should change strategy?

For this, Reed advised Veach: Li Wei is different, with broader horizons and genuine leadership charisma.

From his own contract renewal to those of Mahomes and Kelsey and then Watt’s offseason signing, Li Wei’s grandeur and resolve are evident.

Li Wei sees salary numbers as very important; no one can ignore them. But beyond numbers, the team as a whole is equally crucial. Victory and championships are the core of the Professional League’s operation. With championships comes everything; without them, progress is difficult, creating a virtuous cycle.

In every aspect, Li Wei considers the team, as he and Veach share common interests, standing in the same camp.

Veach understands all this, but precisely because of this, he becomes more vigilant and fearful—

Li Wei’s displayed ability is that of a team manager; his displayed broad-mindedness reveals to Veach his own insignificance and meanness.

No one wants to stand beside a superhero who constantly reminds you of your insignificance, especially when you too are seen as a superhero.

Veach knows these thoughts are foolish, all driven by his arrogance and conceit, yet he can’t control them. The entire League talks about his excellence, that stroke of genius at the 2017 draft that’s transformed the Kansas City Chiefs’ fate and the entire League’s landscape.

Deep down, Veach knows it all originated from Reed’s suggestion. But with everyone saying it a hundred or a thousand times, he starts to attribute it as his achievement, despite Reed’s suggestion, as the final execution required courage from himself.

He too longs to become a superhero.

Until today.

Today’s purely a League event; Goodell invited Li Wei to the Rookie Training Camp, with the Kansas City Chiefs merely cooperating, yet Veach sounded the alarm, worried about Li Wei’s potential interference in draft decisions.

Now, Veach realizes just how petty his worries and fears are—

Other teams eagerly sought Li Wei’s opinions, which he generously shared, and set smokescreens for the Kansas City Chiefs; from start to finish, he never interfered with Veach’s work, didn’t even inquire, consciously keeping a distance.

Veach thinks perhaps Li Wei had long seen through everything; he just hadn’t exposed it, and this posture’s demonstrated resolve makes him feel ashamed.

While he fussed over his own spotlight, Li Wei always considered the team.

If they all willingly prioritized the team over themselves, they could find solutions even when encountering issues, all for the Kansas City Chiefs. Then, they should achieve a monumental feat, establishing an impregnable team in the NFL, not merely reliant on victories and championships but leaving their dazzling mark in competitive sports history.

Veach. Reed. Li Wei. United and concerted.