Players know that their position on a roster is mostly a cold heartless decision making process. Drew is the only case I can think of where sentiment may play a part. Releasing Drew would be a nuclear bomb in the club house and in the stadium.
That is why I think the talk of a transition year to ease him into retirement and develop Taysom or maybe a draft pick into the starting role.
To be honest this is why QB leave near the top of their game. Drew is on that cusp. Maybe he has another stellar year in him but nobody wants to see him play a had been season. No body and especially Drew wants to see him benched in a season. That would break a lot of hearts. That is again why I think they are talking up a transition year so seeing him share the load with another QB is the plan and not a shock to the Fans.