I haven't changed my point at all. You, like so many people, use "professional pride" to mean footballers should bugger off somewhere else where they can get a game instead of playing in the reserves. That interpretation only ever applies to footballers. Everywhere else it refers to someone having standards in their work, not settling for shoddy workmanship. Since they are not being allowed to ply their trade as they're not in the squad, it's meaningless to apply it to them.
Not many footballers will carry on earning from the sport after they finish playing. And I didn't mention "surviving" on anything. These players have reached the promised land and suddenly they are expected to drop back down again. Football is harsh that way, but the drop in earnings from PL to League 1 is severe enough for it to be completely understandable that they don't see it as appealing. They may also think that sticking around for a bit will look good on their CV, give them a chance of a loan to a top Championship team, make some better contacts. Who knows? Maybe it's a pipe dream, but I understand it and it doesn't look good when players are being booted out the door in such a fashion.