When a disgruntled star player becomes available, there is a dance that must be danced. Said player makes demands that the ownership refuses and gives their demands. Both sides blame the other for the breakdown.
The player makes it known he wants off the team, and the team makes it known that the player is their property and they aren't going anywhere, while quietly fielding offers. Then, all of a sudden, a team gives them an offer after the player threatens to hold out, and the player is traded.
Eagles fans know this ploy well as they saw the mortal enemy, the Dallas Cowboys, surrender one of the best defensive players, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers.