The idea that if you don't 'take care of your own' you won't be able to 'attract talent' is almost entirely baseless. If a team literally never extended its own stars in their prime, perhaps it could be true, but letting an older running back walk during a rebuilding year or as a strategic decision is something every team in the NFL has done and would have no effect on attracting talent in the future. Also, if we had Derrick Henry, we should trade him too. There is no place for an expensive aging RB on this team and we need draft picks to find more oline, a WR3/4, young RB depth, a TE, etc.

The 49ers let Gore and Mostert walk. The Cowboys let Smith, Elliott, and Pollard walk. The Eagles let Miles Sanders walk. The Packers let Aaron Jones walk. The Vikings let Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook walk. The Rams let Todd Gurley walk. The Saints like Ricky Williams, Reggie Bush, and Mark Ingram walk. Letting Kamara loose as he is about 30 and we are in a rebuild is smart and no talent would hold it against us.

In the scheme of things at other positions the 49ers let Joe Montana and Jerry Rice walk. The Patriots kept their cap under control for a 6 ring dynasty letting stars walk. The Packers let Favre and Rodgers walk. The Falcons let Matt Ryan and Julio Jones walk but were able to sign Kirk Cousins.

Its a business. Everyone understands that. Trading or eventually releasing Kamara to gain a draft pick and $10-20 million of long term cap relief is a good business decision.