So to break it down;
A pro bowl DL/Linebacker for;
A 3rd round pick the team trading for him gets back if he doesn't re-sign
A former 1st round pick of a linebacker who's done nothing and was gonna get cut at the roster deadline anyway
Some other back up linebacker who probably turns into nothing.
O'Brien should be fired for that. Absolutely horrible.
JD was not under contract. He can’t be dealt until he signed the franchise tender. Houston had zero leverage to send him wherever they wanted to. He could simply not sign the tender and wait it out until week 8/9 the latest he can sign to have the year count towards free agency.
Their relationship ended much like Bell’s did with Pitt did. After 5 seasons, if you’re not prepared to extend the guy long term you might as well walk away.
Better to use that designated cap space that you had ear marked for JD’s franchise tender in free agency.
See the difference in return between JD and Clark who Seattle traded for a 1st after tagging him, allowing him to sign long term with KC.
Guys simply are no longer willing to put their bodies on the line for a team that isn’t investing in them long term.