Soooo... What do y'all recommend if I want to run a rooted Android phone? Seems like our options are becoming more and more limited each year. :-(

Pixel with self-built userdebug version of GrapheneOS. (It's quite easy, just modify one step of their published buiod instructions.)

The manufacturers will continue to take user choice away until users start tossing their devices in the trash. Sooner is better IMO.