There's a reasonable middle ground here.
It's alright to acknowledge that the OL has been a huge problem for almost the full 9 season Russ has played in the league. It's also plain to see that the OL was not especially bad last season, and in fact may have been slightly ABOVE average with its starting lineup in pass protection. It's fine to acknowledge that Russ is a great quarterback but holds the damn ball for too long.
With that being said, Russ was probably on his last nerve going into this season and is no longer willing to settle for an average line with a shoddy scheme. I was pleased with the offensive line play last season... as a fan, who is more willing to acknowledge improvement when I'm not the one who has been teed off on for the previous 8 years.
It's time to keep him happy and seriously invest in his protection. Russell is the franchise, and has always been a selfless leader. He knows that he's getting up there, and to be the greatest, he needs more help. Help that all the greats that he wants to be named among have received from their organizations.
Go all-in on the line. Move cap around. Pull all the strings you can. Russ has more than earned it, and honestly, we should be glad he isn't as pissed about this as a Brady or Rodgers would be. Period.
Overpay for Linsley or Thuney to solidify the interior. Keep Brown and Shell happy while looking for long-term replacements. If you strike out on Linsley, either go to bat with Pocic as the weakest link (not that weak as far as weak links go) or address the spot in the draft. I'd say make a home-run package for Orlando Brown Jr., but he's not an immediate upgrade at left tackle, and he will NOT play right tackle... which is why he wants a trade. Russ wants results now.
This is, in my opinion, NOT the optimal way to bolster the roster - but Russell is the crown jewel of this organization. If he's unhappy, you get him what he wants. He has not been unreasonable, and believe me, any other quarterback of his caliber would've been VERY unreasonable by now.
I love Pete, I love John, and I love Russ. This time, Pete needs to cave to his star, or the party is over.