Yes and No.
I remember probably 10 years ago in Training Camp, the Cheaps released multi year pro bowler offensive lineman Brian Waters. I wanted us to pick him up because our line stunk then too. We didn't. Bill Bellyache did and they went to the SB that year.
He was also from my alma mater (North Texas State University) and hardly anybody from there gets to NFL aside from Mean Joe Green. " Waters was named an All-Pro twice and was selected to the Pro Bowl five times in his eleven-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs.[3] In 2003, " He was a FA. We passed,, they didn't.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Waters
Friendly refs is part of it, but they also think it's important which we evidently do not.