Maybe you guys don't understand OB's "Final Solution".
With Leavitt on staff, there's little chance of Sean taking over when OB steps down -- the shirt-tucks will demand Leavitt.
By making a half-assed play for Leavitt, he keeps the shirt-tucks happy for another year or two, and leaves Sean to be the only possible replacement when he retires and they want to keep it "in the family".