Wade didn't have the guys he needed to field a top defense. If he did, as he has shown, the production would have been there. But his age was a problem too so do you want to restack things for a DC who might punch out at any time to retirement?
The other problem was that McVay wanted a more varied approach, instead of "this is what we play beat it." Both approaches are valid, and both require the right players. On top of that he probably figured adding a DC who runs the defense he hates would also help him as an OC.
Clearly McVay did a great job with the change and the hire. It took balls. Very impressed with this past year and what we're seeing right now, and he hit a grand slam in the Staley choice.
