Yes, I think for all the guys that left, they left for the cash but with underlying reasons.
Age/hard to compete any more: Mickelson, Poulter, McDowell, Stenson, Westwood
Injury concerns: Koepka, De Chambeau
Less golf, more family: DJ, Cam Smith
Conversely, a guy like McIlroy stays because he's the current face of golf, chasing his own history and is already very well compensated. Not at LIV levels, admittedly, but he has good reason to stay. Tiger is one of the top 2 players of all time, would destroy his legacy by going and probably (almost definitely) isn't physically capable of playing 14 events anyway.
So I think everyone made the choice that suited them, for better or worse. I can't really blame any of the guys for going and thought the moral outrage was completely absurd.
Still pretty unsure as to how it's all going to work though. That SI article is very pro pga, but I do think some kind of sweetener for the guys that stayed or penalty for the guys that left is going to be necessary if they do end up rejoining.