Chapter 551: Reluctant to Give Up
Highest annual salary, fully guaranteed.
The two keywords were combined and collided with incredible energy, and all the eyes of the crowd flocked to the Minnesota Vikings overnight.
And Cousins.
The fourth-round draft quarterback faced the first highlight of his life openly.
The hot discussion cannot stop at all.
It was precisely thanks to Cousins' history-making step that other news in the free market suddenly became eclipsed, including Smith.
On March 15, one day later than Cousins, the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs jointly released official news:
Smith officially joined the Washington Redskins.
The transfer price is two draft picks in the second and third rounds of 2018 plus third-year cornerback Kendall-Fuller.
According to rumors, the Kansas Chiefs were trying to get a first-round pick. Because of their series of operations in last year's draft, this year's first-round pick was in the hands of Buffalo Bill, and Veach was trying to make up for it.
However, the Washington Redskins were also prepared to rebuild the team around a new starting quarterback, but they refused; in the end, Veach considered the salary cap issue for a first-round pick, so he settled for the next best thing and added a cornerback.
Everyone is happy.
The Kansas City Chiefs received the draft pick and the cornerback they desperately needed, while the Washington Redskins received the cornerstone quarterback, gaining valuable adjustment space for their overthrow and reconstruction.
Subsequently, the Washington Redskins announced that the team and Smith had completed the signing. It was a four-year, $116 million contract with an annual salary of $29 million, breaking the record set by Cousins just one day ago. Become the highest salary ceiling in the league.
but.
Cousins is fully guaranteed, while Smith's guaranteed portion is only $65 million, plus a $27 million signing bonus.
Once compared, the difference becomes clear.
In such a situation, different people have different opinions.
Some people saw Cousins' shrewdness, some complained about Smith's missed opportunities, some marveled that the Minnesota Vikings were taken advantage of, some were curious about Smith's future with the Washington Redskins, some thought Smith was not worth the annual salary, and some believed Smith made the right move. choose.
There was Cousins in the front and Smith in the back. The free market was extremely lively this offseason, and the 2018 season has just begun and is already filled with smoke.
To this.
Smith hesitated.
On the one hand, he knows that this is the goal he is pursuing. With an annual salary of 29 million, he has also become part of the league's top salary.
Although this record should not last long, waiting for the Green Bay Packers and Rodgers to renew the contract, the annual salary threshold of 30 million can easily be surpassed; but at least, he also briefly had his own moment.
Following the Super Bowl title, he accomplished another goal.
On the other hand, he seemed lost and reluctant.
Once, he truly believed that he could play in Kansas City until he retired. He unreservedly left everything to this city that opened its arms in his moment of decline, and then turned around and left football without any doubt.
However, things are unpredictable and plans cannot keep up with changes, so he still has to leave.
And, as a bad guy.
Now when he appears on the streets of Kansas City, he may not be greeted with praise and cheers, but with curses and middle fingers, even spitting.
"Alex."
His wife Elizabeth's voice came from behind him. Smith quickly collected his emotions, forced a smile, and pretended to be fine.
Elizabeth hugged her husband.
"Actually, you don't need to come back. Just leave everything to the moving company."
Smith nodded, "I know, but I still want to say goodbye in person."
Elizabeth let out a long breath, "But no one wants to say goodbye to you."
Smith smiled bitterly, "This is my own choice, remember?"
Elizabeth shook her head, "But no one knows."
Smith said, "It's okay, the rookie knows. The rookie will shoulder the responsibility of captain and continue to lead the team. That's enough." A small part of the reason for choosing the Washington Redskins is that they belong to the National League and are on the same page as the American League teams. Meeting once every four years, the Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs will not meet next season.
Smith doesn't expect to face the Chiefs so soon.
Elizabeth sighed softly, "You understand the truth..."
Smith smiled bitterly, "Yes, I understand the truth, but I still can't let it go."
Even though it was all his own choice, it still made Smith sad to leave Kansas City secretly like a lost dog with the reputation of being a traitor.
Elizabeth was depressed for a while, and mercilessly complained that she deserved it, but in the end she still had a soft heart and hugged Smith again.
Smith finally found some smile, "I thought you would be happy."
Elizabeth was once a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders, who were sworn enemies of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Elizabeth said dullly, "Yes, yes, I am the happiest. I am finally leaving this hellish place."
Having said that, Elizabeth secretly rubbed her eyes to hide her embarrassment.
No one knows better than Elizabeth that Smith was in a state of despair when he left San Francisco and came to Kansas City.
It was Reed, the Chief, and this city that allowed him to regain his smile and confidence.
The thought that they were about to leave amidst the scoldings, even if it was Smith's choice, made Elizabeth feel extremely uncomfortable.
The children did not come with them. They had already gone to Washington with their grandparents. The couple quickly packed up the furniture and left the bulky and large furniture with the moving company, dragging the suitcases and leaving the house.
Driving to Arrowhead Stadium, Smith wanted to say one last goodbye.
However.
In the distance, Smith saw a sea of red that filled the sky.
He was stunned, and his head didn't turn around for a while:
Did other players who joined the Kansas Chiefs arrive at the stadium?
The next second, Smith saw his own head waving high.
"Alex, thank you."
Caught off guard, Smith made an emergency brake and stopped the car. He buried his head in the steering wheel and could no longer control his tears.
The wind outside the window brought calls.
"Alex..."
"Alex!"
"Hey, as promised, one day is a chief, always a chief, don't forget it."
"It's been an extraordinary journey, thank you."
"Next time we meet, we will be enemies, but today we are still our captain."
It was bustling and uproaring, and finally thousands of voices converged into one shout after another.
"team leader!"
"team leader!"
Elizabeth couldn't hold back, looking at the dazzling red ocean in front of her, she burst into tears, and her memory instantly returned to the spring five years ago.
She remembered that the day was gloomy and the weather was bad, but the city welcomed them with a warm embrace.
In the blink of an eye, time flies, Arrowhead Stadium is still the same Arrowhead Stadium, and the fans are still the same fans. Things seem completely different but they never seem to change.
Huh.
The spring breeze is blowing, and the sun breaks through the layers of clouds and falls down, illuminating a sea of red in front of you.
(End of chapter)