You are simply giving far too much credit to a company known for its vague communications and underhanded tactics. Also note that the exceedingly detailed documentation for building "alternative browser engines" [2] has literally zero mention of progressive web apps. All the signs are in the air: it's busted and going to stay that way.
[1] https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release... [2] https://developer.apple.com/support/alternative-browser-engi...
Sounds like the comfy position of someone with nothing to lose from such a thing shipping in a finished build.
Bloggers could be less sensational about it for sure though.
Had Apple not been pressured into a communication update on the matter the conversation would be starting at 0 a month from now.