To me the issue was always about paying a guy an exorbitant amount of money when he doesn't want to be here. Or going through the process of having a malcontent on the team while we hold onto his rights because you can't let elite talent like Adams pass through your franchise without recouping significant assets if you've crossed that point of no return. I don't like how Adams handled the deadline, but I've maintained since it happened that this isn't a situation that cannot be overcome, like say Trent Williams in Washington. Joe Douglas did nothing besides what I would expect any competent NFL general manager to do.
If he wants to be here, is willing to be on board for the continued rebuild and will sign on the dotted line, even if its a deal (and it will be) that guarantees he's the highest paid safety in the NFL, pay him and don't look back. You can't run your franchise thinking that you're incapable of finding the other pieces you need without sacrificing a potential cornerstone to do so. Have faith in this new regime that they can actually find talent in the mid-rounds because you have no other choice. The fact is, this is not a team that is in a position to have to worry about how they're going to hand this guy and that guy a second contract, because most of the talent level sucks. Our biggest FA coming up in the off-season is a receiver that's likely going to have to settle for a one-year prove it deal.
And if you don't have that faith in your front office to begin with, why be on board with trading a sure thing for lottery tickets if you don't think the scouting department and front office can utilize those tickets and maximize their value?