Yes, this overpayment (aka keeping your own guys) is the kind of "loyalty" that is killing this team. Continuity? Of what? Continuous mediocre defense?
I'm afraid Terry Pegula uses that same "loyalty" concept to avoid the distasteful process of firing a coach or GM.
Like @muppy said in another post, it's like a "cheaper to keep her" marriage where you just don't want to make the change because change is so... icky.
Thank you, @Virgil for your coherent thoughts at a depressing time like this.