The Trial Contract

She charted opponent habits, preferred drop spots, route tendencies, and endgame patterns. She would point to a scrim note and say, “This team likes to hold the right side of second zone. By third, they hard claim height early. If you see their vehicle, they’re already setting up a south rotate. You don’t want a late fight. You want the better position first.” Sarah Collins, the manager, handled everything outside the game. Contracts, travel, media requests, dinner schedules, motel reservations. She was the reason the team could focus on scrims instead of logistics. Knowing Chase came from a family that wasn’t rich, she made sure the trial contract included equipment support and monthly pay, with a path to a longer deal if he kept performing.