It's 100% his life and he doesn't live his life pleasing fans and an organization that could cut him tomorrow. You have no idea what happened to him last year and your "(as I'm sure he did)" is a complete guess.
Have you been paying attention to the amount of NFL / CFB players that have committed suicide, been arrested, have gone absolutely bat sh** crazy over the last few months? You don't think he thought "man, I don't want to wind up like that, this isnt worth it"??
It's short sighted to say "well, he signed a contract he should play it out" as if NFL teams don't cut people 1 year into their contract.