The Dude

Idk, Payton said on numerous occasions how much respect he had for the Bensons and the organization. He also had a huge hand in what players they brought in, injury risk or not. The latter of which was partially in an effort to save money due to salary cap manipulation. I believe he had a part in that as well. Helped him get the toys he wanted.
I think Covid, officiating, Goodell and other factors within the NFL as a whole just made him want to do a hard reset.
The crime and overall state of the city didn't help.

"Where life had no value, death, sometimes, had its price. That is why the bounty killers appeared."