I agree that they don't have to be, but it's about mindset...the mindset was all about financial stability and if by being financially stable it got them a SB, or two, along the way all the better. The focus is the issue. Some of us complain about the stagnation and the sameness...that was the goal of the org so what we're reacting to is no surprise, that is exactly what they were doing.
The 12 factor looms large. It allowed them their financial stability having one of the biggest stars in the game. As I've said, repeatedly, they've done less with more and purposefully so. That's a huge issue to me. To waste a guy and just shoot for sameness in a league that is set with the Lombardi trophy as the goal is disappointing. They are a business and the business of money greatly outweighs the business of winning but like you said they don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Going for a SB and not getting it would wrench up financial stability. It's that fear of not winning and then losing money that is one of my huge issues with them. Their mindset is be the same, do just enough, to keep us financially stable. The fans are good with it, they fill the stadium, watch the games, and buy the memorabilia. The business has no incentive to do better...until 7-9, and why I said I can't wait to see the books and compare them to last year. This whole change thing beyond hiding Ted has to also be about OH NO! We lost money... we gotta do something to get the fanbase back and spending. Better make changes, but let's feign the change they want and give them more of the same just in a package of different. This is the con and deception I speak of. All in the name of financial stability while the majority of the fanbase thinks it's really about winning and will shout you down and cite PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS! we are all about winning. That is where I get bemused. Yes, it is about winning regular season games and just enough to keep things at an equilibrium that works for financial stability but nothing more. The eyes need to open.
Ted Thompson sits on his hands per former GM: "because they’ve had 25 fricking years of great quarterbacks. Of course it works. Try it without a special quarterback."