I've had this thought, and as I tend to draw comparisons from recent history I think of the offseason following 2007. That's the closest comparison I can draw for this situation.
Mangini and Tannenbaum were both under pressure after going 4-12. The 2006 playoff berth bought them credit that the Rex/Idzik combo doesn't have right now. Also, the 2006 and 2007 drafts were worlds better than 2013 and 2014. In the 2008 offseason, we brought in Faneca, Woody, Jenkins, Pace, Keller, and then Favre. Obviously it didn't work out for Mangini, but Tannenbaum certainly provided him with talent.
So if Idzik actually managed to bring in some decent talent, it would probably be on Rex to produce and save both their asses with a playoff berth.
My guts says that if they both got another year we'd just be postponing the inevitable.
There is a part of me that agrees with you, which is why I've used the "scorched earth" term quite a few times lately.
The question Woody has to ask himself is whether he (and his advisers) believe Rex is a top-notch head coach and has been continuously hampered by depleted rosters. If so, he warrants one more chance--with significant input into personnel decisions. If not, then Johnson should clean house, install an entirely new front office, and let the next GM decide who the next coach should be.
Rex has clout that Mangini didn't have: a fiercely loyal locker room. People can talk all they want about him, but the only other time I can remember a team being so loyal to a coach despite losing was Jim Fassel with the Giants.
In the end, I would like to see one more year of Rex. However, if Woody goes with the housecleaning option I won't loudly object.
