I smiled and shook hands with my staff members. We would expand our staff as we got further into pre-season and regular season, but today, I was meeting with the coaches I would work closest with. I had met with all of them over the last two weeks. Joe Crooks was the wide receivers coach. He was probably my dad’s age and sported a stunning comb-over and a mustache he neglected to trim. How the poking, wiry hairs didn’t bother his lips or nose astounded me. Brandon Trust was the running backs coach. He was a muscular white guy with the start of a gut. Jamal Pierson was the youngest coach on the team, and the only Black guy on the offensive staff. He was the quarterbacks coach and looked miserable at the hand fate dealt him.

“Great to see you again, Sutton,” Brandon said.

“I’m glad to be a part of this. I understand there’s a scramble for a new quarterback,” I said. I sat and stared at the eight names on the screen that our scouts emailed Jamal.

“Of all the luck. Myers goes four-wheeling, pops a wheelie, and the ATV rolls back and crushes his leg. Even if the ACL heals properly, his knee will never be the same.” Jamal sighed and leaned back. “This whole list is nothing but college kids. What about hiring a veteran? Is anybody decent still a free agent? Maybe a veteran can help solidify our team over the next year or two. At least until we can find another young hotshot.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Brandon said. He flipped through a three-ring binder in front of him. “What about Tommy Colvin or Grayson Moats? They both have been in the NFL for about ten years and have played with different teams. It shows they’re versatile.”

Today started out amazing. I kissed my sleepy girlfriend good-bye, scratched my dog behind the ears, had a great cup of coffee, found my parking spot, and walked into a spiderweb named Grayson Moats. As a previous quarterbacks coach, and one with a grudge, I was very aware of him over the last decade. His numbers were good, but not great. He played for Miami, Pittsburgh, and had been riding Baltimore’s bench the last year before recently announcing his retirement.

“Moats just announced his retirement. Where’s Colvin now?” I asked. I already knew but I wanted the focus to be on him, not Grayson. The idea of seeing Grayson with Parker O’Neal at his side made my insides twist painfully.

“He’s third string for Kansas City. He’d probably love the opportunity to start at ground level,” Jamal said. His sagging shoulders lifted somewhat at the news that there was light at the end of the tunnel. “Should we make some calls? Invite them both?”