Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers did not want to lose Davante Adams, but it was a trade the team had to make.
Superstar wide receiver Adams left the Packers to join the Las Vegas Raiders in a blockbuster trade earlier in March.
The 29-year-old signed a five-year deal worth up to $141million, making him the highest-paid receiver in league history.
Adams has posted combined numbers of 2,927 yards and 29 touchdowns over the past two seasons, leaving a big void for the Packers to fill.
"That was one of those things those decisions are never easy to make," coach LaFleur said during the NFL owners' meetings.
"Unfortunately, it was one that we had to come to. I think a lot of it was driven by Davante, but there's no sense in looking back. We're moving forward. We appreciate everything he's done, obviously.
"It's a lot to replace in terms of production and the type of leader he was for us. But again it was one of those deals you never want to back, but sometimes you have to make.
"Sometimes you got to make some tough decisions. Certainly appreciate everything Davante brought to our team. I mean, he is the best receiver in the National Football League, so that was a tough one for me personally and for our organisation."
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who had 430 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2021, has also left the Packers, and LaFleur knows his team need replacements.
"Certainly, if you look at our roster right now, we definitely need to get some speed in that room," LaFleur added.
"We need a legit guy that can take off the top of the coverage. We lost a guy that was pretty good at doing that.
"It's like putting a puzzle together, you've got to find those pieces that you're missing and put it all together. How that's going to look in the end? I have no idea right now."
One major boost, at least, for the Packers was the return of Aaron Rodgers, with the back-to-back MVP becoming the highest-paid player in the NFL when averaged out per-year.
"I actually received a text message that confirmed Aaron was coming back," LaFleur said when asked if he knew Rodgers was going to sign a new deal.
"I was in an offensive meeting. I actually darted out right away just to make sure I read it the right way before I let everybody know.
"I would say that I had pretty good feelings about it since the Super Bowl ended up until that point. Until you know, you really don't know."