There is certainly a limit to how many recovering maybe-again Giro-winners one team can accommodate.If it wasn't for the injury, I think Ineos should have gone to lenghts to keep him. Rather that than renewal with Thomas, etc. Given that Bernal is not a safe bet and Thomas soon is at the end of his career, a GC lineup of TGH, Pidcock, Arensman, Sheffield, Plapp, Tulett and De Plus is a minimum of one should expect from Ineos. But a that serious injury changes things.
Thomas is ageing, but in a way that is a good thing because he will want a short contract so if they get their hands on a Remco or Bernal returns stronger than ever or they uncover a new gem, you are only tied to G's contract for the rest of that season.
But the point is that these riders are good but maybe not good enough for being in the top tier of INEOS riders, so they need to replace some of them, especially if they still want to have free roles in their team.