The idea of the contract was that I could stand being in my current position as long as the comp was better. But this course of events would just lead to a lot more downstream pain than expected.
Higher up in this chain there was the mention of asking for a severance package, which seems way more easier to mention off the cuff and not look like a premeditated f-you move.
"Oh, you have a counter offer? I thought you might! I just so happen to have this legally binding contract here..."