Teams can't start on their new OEM until the contract with the old one expires.....but I know you know that.
Jimmie wasn't seeking an alliance. Maybe this was part of the Toyota equation. He got what he wanted, and realizes that he needs more in order to do something with it. It looks like he is working on that. Toyota had a lot to lose with this. JGR was not happy. TRD did it anyway.
If Toyota was the problem. Jimmie wouldn't be overhauling his team.
Toyota doesn't just take whatever team as @StandOnIt would imply. There is a lot to lose when you suck.
A Legacy OEM switch would be shocking. That's not the way things work with Toyota. It absolutely won't happen. Jimmie has said he is impressed with the culture and happy. Nothing wrong with it, but some here are busy making **** up.