Eh, maybe. Numerologically, I think you're right, but you do have to keep in mind that a $16,000 lump sum has a lot more subjective value going out the door to an uncertain future and a zero income - at least, temporarily - than it does in the course of making six figures at a stable job.

I'm not saying he had any reason to suspect he wouldn't be able to find another job, and even quickly, but it probably wouldn't pay nearly as much and there was no guarantee of that. It's just the depressive state accompanying the sensation of having been fired, even if it's from something you hate in concrete terms.