Though Lance was a bit worried, Smith let out a long breath. Letting go of those lofty expectations and dreams, he returned to reality—his head, once floating like a hot-air balloon among the clouds, was finally grounded again.
"What's the saying? Welcome to the professional league."
"Here, profit always outweighs the individual. Before indulging in grand and unrealistic dreams, everyone needs to remember that."
Relief, yes—but still bittersweet.
Lance hesitated to speak but couldn't find the right words.
Smith waved him off. "No need to comfort me. That would only make me look more pathetic. Honestly, I'm not that pitiful."
"Ha," Lance could taste the self-deprecation in Smith's words. But if he still had the humor to joke, he was doing better than expected.
"So," Lance asked, "how do you plan to respond to them?"
Smith shrugged, leaning back in his chair. It was as if he had finally settled into vacation mode, his expression fully relaxed.
"This actually makes it easier. No emotional cards in play—just a business discussion. Since they're approaching it with business in mind, I'll do the same."
"I agree with what you said—if they offer a five-year, $200 million contract, why not? I'll go to New York and be their cash cow."
"See? I'm such a good guy—I'm not even asking for full guarantees."
Lance couldn't hold it anymore and burst out laughing. "Now that's the spirit."
After the laughter faded, both men fell into silence. A faint sadness filled the air.
No matter what, this was still a farewell.
From NCAA to the NFL, this was the first time Lance had experienced a goodbye .
He asked curiously, "So, Captain, how do you feel now?"
Smith thought seriously. "A bit relieved. Of course, I once hoped to finish my career in Kansas City. I'm 34—there's not a lot of time left on the football field."
"This is life. Not just the professional league—life itself is . Things change. We're ruled by emotions, getting ourselves into trouble over and over again, and then we find ways to solve them and keep moving forward."
He paused and looked at Lance, the corners of his mouth lifting again.
"But this time is different from last time. Kansas City isn't San Francisco. This time, I get to choose. This is my choice. My decision."
"So, I can say goodbye with a smile."
And this time, the smile was genuine.
Lance smiled back and shook his head.
"You can tell you're the old guy here. Nobody says 'goodbye' anymore. We say 'until next time'—'see you on the field.'"
Smith was caught off guard. It might have been the first time Lance called him by his full name—and correctly, no less.
"I won't go easy on you."
Calm but firm, the confidence in Lance's eyes made Smith laugh freely and joyfully.
Then Smith raised his glass of water. "I'll be waiting."
They clinked glasses across the table and drained them.
Though it was only water, it carried the taste of something stronger.
Smith placed both hands on the table. "I heard your training is brutal."
Lance raised an eyebrow, surprised the news had gotten out. Then again, they hadn't exactly kept it a secret.
Smith continued, "A little birdie sometimes asks me technical questions."
"So… do you guys have room for one more? Since I'm already in Miami, and to avoid drawing attention, I thought I'd train here too. Maybe you could ask JJ if he'd mind."
Lance's eyes widened. "Are you serious? What's gotten into you?"
"Ha! Hahaha!" Smith burst out laughing.
And so it was that Smith stayed in Miami, unofficially joining Watt's training camp. Due to lingering injuries, he didn't participate in the high-intensity workouts but used the facilities for personal training and occasionally joined in for tactical discussions, sharing his experience and insight.
Remaining in Miami kept him away from the media frenzy, allowing his agent to handle negotiations quietly. It was a wise decision.
Elsewhere, the NFL offseason was heating up with nonstop headlines.
Not only were the Eagles and Chiefs facing tough quarterback decisions, but similar controversies were unfolding across multiple teams.
Take Case Keenum of the Minnesota Vikings, for example—should they offer him a big contract after his breakout year?
The quarterback market was, in a word, chaotic.
When the Chiefs officially announced they were in ongoing negotiations with their starting QB but had made no progress, it sent a signal to the league:
Smith might not stay in Kansas City.
A single ripple triggered a tidal wave.
While Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks had changed teams before, it was always a bombshell event—and this time was no different. The media exploded.
Soon, rumors were flying everywhere. Smith was linked to the Giants, Vikings, Broncos, and more. The veteran quarterback quickly became the target of a fierce bidding war.
Then, the Washington Redskins emerged as a surprise contender. With ample cap space, they aimed to lure Smith away—but negotiations with the Chiefs over trade terms stalled, reaching a deadlock.
That's when the Vikings entered the race, matching Washington in both cap flexibility and interest, turning it into a three-way contest.
Just as everyone expected a prolonged standoff, the Vikings suddenly withdrew—quietly and without warning.
In their place, the Giants began to reassert themselves, not with flash but with quiet, strategic persistence, becoming the new top contender.
Now, the decision rested entirely in Smith's hands.
Though no party confirmed or denied the rumors—and none of the alleged leaks had named sources—one thing quickly became clear to those in the know:
Smith was all but certain to join the Washington Redskins. The Chiefs had ultimately failed to keep him.
According to the whispers, Smith's salary demands had exceeded Kansas City's cap capabilities. After drafting two first-round picks last year, the Chiefs' financial flexibility had been severely constrained.
Now, the league awaited March 14—the official start of the free agency period—when teams would rush to announce their signings.
Just as everyone assumed Smith's move would dominate headlines on day one, the Minnesota Vikings suddenly snatched the spotlight with a whirlwind move that shook the league.
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