American Football: Domination

The NFL's 32 teams generally follow a similar offseason preparation schedule, with a spring training camp and a summer training camp.

While summer training camp is mandatory for all players and focuses on tactics, scrimmages, and finalizing the 53-man roster (along with a 10-man practice squad), the spring camp is voluntary. Its purpose is to help players regain fitness, conduct basic drills, and, most importantly, allow rookies to integrate into the team.

Often referred to as rookie camp, it serves two primary functions:

It gives undrafted players an opportunity to impress and secure a roster spot.It allows teams to evaluate all rookies early. Those deemed unfit or unsuitable might be cut before summer training camp even begins, effectively ending their NFL journey before it starts.

Although participation is technically voluntary, most players attend spring training camp unless they're injured or involved in contractual disputes (e.g., holding out for a better deal). Attendance is an opportunity to demonstrate commitment and familiarize oneself with teammates and coaches.

For rookies, spring training camp also marks the contract negotiation deadline.

Rookie Contracts

Between the draft and training camp, rookies must undergo physicals and negotiate their contracts through their agents.

The NFL has strict rules governing rookie contracts, including fixed lengths, salary caps, signing bonuses, and other terms. The specifics vary by draft position, with lower-round picks receiving smaller offers.

Key points:

Guaranteed money: High picks are more likely to secure fully guaranteed contracts, though this is not guaranteed for all first-rounders. Rookies selected after the first round often have incentive-laden deals.Signing bonuses: Each draft position has a predetermined bonus cap, but teams may not always offer the maximum amount.

While uncommon, some rookies fail to sign their contracts by camp, causing them to miss key workouts. In extreme cases, players and teams part ways after spring training if things don't work out.

Even first-round picks aren't immune to such scenarios.

Thus, most rookies arrive at spring training camp having already signed their contracts, officially transitioning from college athletes to professional players. How they choose to spend their first major paycheck often reveals their personality.

Lance's Rookie Contract

With the help of his agent, Donald Yee, Lance quickly finalized his deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the seventh first-rounder to sign.

Terms:

Duration: Four yearsTotal value: $27.4 millionFully guaranteed: YesSigning bonus: $15 million

This deal hit the NFL's rookie contract cap limits for his draft slot, reflecting the Chiefs' high expectations.

For comparison:

Myles Garrett (1st overall pick): $30.4 million over four years, fully guaranteed, with a $20 million signing bonus.Patrick Mahomes (10th overall pick): $16.4 million over four years, fully guaranteed, with a $10 million signing bonus.

Lance's deal stands out, placing him firmly in the top tier of rookie contracts.

Rookie Spending

When Lance first arrived in Kansas City, he marveled at his newfound wealth. A few months ago, he couldn't have imagined seeing more than $1 million in his bank account; now, he was a multimillionaire.

However, he kept his excitement in check.

Lance knew of countless NFL players who squandered their fortunes on luxury cars, wild parties, and frivolous spending, only to face financial ruin later.

Instead of rushing to spend, Lance turned to his agent, Donald Yee, for guidance. Together, they hired a financial advisor to help manage his wealth, ensuring a stable future. Lance also allocated funds for maintaining his personal training team, knowing the importance of preparation in an ultra-competitive league.

While Lance played it safe, not all rookies followed suit.

Kareem Hunt's Entrance

As spring training camp kicked off, Kareem Hunt, the Chiefs' third-round pick, made his debut in a flashy new sports car.

Clearly, Hunt wasn't interested in camaraderie. With the starting running back position wide open, he saw Lance as a direct competitor, not a teammate. His confidence was palpable—he had come to compete.

When Hunt strutted past without acknowledging them, Mahomes smirked and nudged Lance.

"Looks like someone's upset about being an afterthought. Guess he wants to make sure no one forgets he's here."

Hunt's frustration wasn't entirely unwarranted.

Since the draft, the Chiefs' decision to pick two running backs—Lance in the first round and Hunt in the third—had sparked league-wide debate. Critics questioned why the Chiefs needed two running backs at all.

As a result, Lance became the center of attention while Hunt faded into the background, a footnote in the Chiefs' offseason narrative.

But Lance didn't take Hunt's attitude personally.

He simply shrugged. "The world's a big place. He should look beyond his small corner of it. Ribbit."

Mahomes burst out laughing. "Did you just call him a frog in a well? That's savage, man!"

Welcome to the NFL

Lance's words proved prophetic.

Once training camp began, rookies quickly realized that competition wasn't confined to their peers. The NFL wasn't about being the best rookie; it was about surviving in a league filled with elite athletes.

The first day of camp was a grueling wake-up call.

Veterans didn't waste time acknowledging the rookies' presence. For them, new faces came and went every year—there was no need for formalities. Rookies naturally clumped together at the edge of the field, watching as veterans went through their paces.

Then practice started, and the intensity was staggering.

The first drill alone left Lance gasping for air, his legs burning with fatigue. He glanced around and saw the same expression on every rookie's face: exhaustion mixed with disbelief.

If Lance hadn't known better, he might have thought the coaching staff had planned this as a hazing ritual. But no—this wasn't about singling out rookies. This was the NFL's way of reminding all players that the offseason was over.

The message was clear: Time to wake up. The grind begins now.

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Powerstones?

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