Chapter 568 Strategic Alliance
The memory does not need to be traced back too far, that is, in September and October last year, Levi was born out of the blue, and the alliance strongly supported it, pushing this rookie to the forefront in one fell swoop, causing a lot of controversy and envy. In addition to the jealous eyes, there is also a lot of disdain and rejection——
The status in the industry is not gained by touting, nor by political correctness. It should be gained through hard work one game after another.
In the blink of an eye, the Super Bowl has come to an end and the offseason has fully begun. Levi is once again under the spotlight, but he can clearly feel the change in the atmosphere of the league. Whether it is supporting Bell or the Forbes list, the voices of approval and recognition continue to rise.
This means that Levi has finally won a place for himself with practical actions.
At the same time, it also means that Levi will have no rookie bonus or dark horse advantage next season. All opponents will be given the highest standards of treatment to start the confrontation, and even the tactics will be focused on them. The real test has just begun——
Countless rookies have to face this hurdle. In their rookie season, they rely on the unfamiliarity and contempt of their opponents to gain an advantage and give full play to their talents; but in their second year, their opponents have already prepared and made targeted adjustments. These young people find that the situation and imagination are different. Different, they have encountered bottlenecks one after another, and their performance on the field has declined significantly.
This is the "Rookie Wall".
So, is Levi’s rookie wall coming?
A new challenge begins.
Here, the training, adjustments, and running-in during the offseason are still progressing in an orderly manner.
After the defending champion Kansas Chiefs experienced the transfer of their main quarterback Smith, they quickly calmed down and completed the quarterback handover step by step. With the help of Levi, the offensive team quickly entered the state, announcing the beginning of the Mahomes era.
Over there, the league's offseason news is still abuzz, and the turmoil cannot stop.
Negotiations between the two top superstars in the league and the team have reached an impasse. One is Bell and the other is Green Bay Packers quarterback Rodgers.
Unlike Bell, the fundamental problem with Rodgers' contract extension is injuries.
The quarterback missed most of the 2017 season due to two separate injuries, though not a season-ending injury, and the Green Bay Packers ended up missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Many questions.
But Rodgers refused to give in. As one of only three elite quarterbacks in the league, even Cousins and Smith have secured top-tier contracts, and Rodgers has no reason to give in.
Both sides are in a stalemate.
Amid all the speculations, through the summer training camp, through the preseason, and until a few days before the new season is about to kick off, just when Green Bay Packers fans have almost given up hope and fallen into despair, August 29 On the same day, good news came.
The Green Bay Packers and main quarterback Rodgers finally completed negotiations. The two parties signed a four-year contract of US$134 million, continuing to set the league's highest annual salary record, and entering the era of US$30 million in annual salary as expected. Approximately US$33.5 million per year.
Although the negotiations were long and torturous, lasting more than six months, the result was ultimately satisfactory and everyone was happy.
It can be foreseen now that quarterbacks waiting for contract extensions next season have already begun sharpening their knives.
However, Bell is a different story.
After the spring voluntary training camp ended, the summer mandatory training camp also kicked off. Bell announced that he would continue to miss this year's summer training camp.
Last year, Bell refused to sign the exclusive franchise tag contract by going on strike, but in the end the Pittsburgh Steelers persuaded Bell.
This year, the exact same thing happened again. Bell took a tough stance and did not need any extravagant explanations. He made his attitude clear and clear.
The same thing happened for the second consecutive year. Logically speaking, the media should not be surprised; but in fact, the media can vaguely detect the subtlety of the atmosphere.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did not officially respond, but the team's top receiver Antonio Brown bluntly expressed his disapproval in an interview.
Last season, Brown renewed his contract with the team. He was also eager to get a big contract, but going on strike was never a consideration for him.
"If you want to get better, you must first train. If you don't train, you will lose both sides." "If you can show up, everyone will understand that you want to stay here and you want to stay here for the next few years. So. You have to train and show determination.”
Apparently, the two superstars of the Pittsburgh Steelers couldn't see eye to eye.
Perhaps the team did not issue an official position, but Brown's words seemed meaningful. People inevitably speculated that Brown and the team stood together, Brown's attitude was the team's attitude, and the situation was not good for Bell.
July 16 is the deadline for the franchise tag officially stipulated by the league. Unless the two sides can reach a new agreement, Bell must play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the new season with an exclusive franchise tag.
Bell, declined to be interviewed.
Obviously, Bell is not good at facing the media. If he accepts an interview casually and reporters fan the flames and take quotes out of context, the situation may be even worse.
Unexpectedly but reasonably, Levi did not shy away from the interview.
"... In my opinion, it's a shame, for both sides."
"A good top player who can't get a decision, his voice is ignored, his demands are denied, his value is denied, maybe he has a chance to be a passer and bring more honors to the team, but now, Everything is unknown."
"There is no question that there are issues here that deserve further exploration."
So far, it means a lot.
Levi still did not push the running back against the quarterback or other players of the team, but focused on Bell himself, describing the possibility of reaching the championship and becoming great, and broke away from the contract extension negotiations between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bell, and put it at that time The Green Bay Packers and Rodgers, who were also caught in the tug of war, were also involved, overtly and covertly pointing the finger at the league.
Those rules.
The league has changed the rules again and again for the sake of ratings and advertising, which has brought about a series of chain reactions, and all players have become victims.
In fact, all this is unnecessary.
Levi's words once again aroused heated discussion, and social networks were abuzz with excitement, with all kinds of different opinions flying everywhere, fighting for Bell's injustice.
What is regrettable and frustrating is that as a teammate, Brown did not support Bell. Not only did he not, but he also made a voice on behalf of the team; instead, Levi, as an opponent, showed his true heart and attitude——
Last season, Brown successfully renewed his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so he is on the team's side; but does Brown really think that Bell's dilemma will not happen to him?
At least, that's what Brown thinks now.
Then.
Levi's cell phone received a text message from an unknown number.
"Thanks, man.
I'm still fighting and refusing to give in. I've had enough of these wimps and I need them to hear my voice and the voices of the other running backs.
I won't surrender.
Levian. "
(End of chapter)