It's true that there's a lot we don't know. Executive employment contracts are bespoke and quite different to peon contracts. There will be various incentives that might be cash or incentivized stock options ("ISOs") as well as regular compensation that might be RSUs, non-qualified stock options ("NSOs") or both.
But we do know:
1. The acquisition is imminent but not closed;
2. Executive contracts often include bonuses on acquisition and/or accelerations for change of control;
3. There are numerous examples of companies cleaning house to avoid payouts prior to an acquisition closing;
4. Generally a company on the verge of a likely acquisition just keeps the lights on and doesn't make any big moves so things like hiring freezes make sense; and
5. The circumstancial evidence that both executives just happen to be shy of their 4 year anniversary (in their current roles).
But we do know:
1. The acquisition is imminent but not closed;
2. Executive contracts often include bonuses on acquisition and/or accelerations for change of control;
3. There are numerous examples of companies cleaning house to avoid payouts prior to an acquisition closing;
4. Generally a company on the verge of a likely acquisition just keeps the lights on and doesn't make any big moves so things like hiring freezes make sense; and
5. The circumstancial evidence that both executives just happen to be shy of their 4 year anniversary (in their current roles).
Conclusive? No. Kinda sus? Absolutely.