Yea, people like to pretend that they have so much flexibility because they don't have a big money QB but the reality is that those 1st round DL are starting to age out of their rookie deals and you can't pay 4 guys 20+/year.
Allen is unrestricted next year, Payne and Sweat the year after that (McLaurin also) and Young won't be long after that. This cut is likely preparing for all of those big deals they're about to hand out.
Their only shot at being a true contender is mortgaging an entire draft and hoping to hit on a rookie QB, in lieu of that they're going to have about $100 million tied up in their DL and a perpetually average at best offense with no QB.