I’m a HUGE fan of DeSantis - but, sorry, he’s doing this to himself.
The smartest thing he could have done was stay out and keep looking good. Instead he goes to Iowa etc., making mistakes and bringing his brand down. The way he handled the Bragg circus and other issies has dumb and awkward. Unforced errors and bad consultation.
Someone on his side needs to do some math - he CANNOT overcome Trump for the nomination.
If, as you infer, he’s not running at all, then all of this was just a waste of time and tactical stupidity on his and his people’s part.
But he's done enough to keep his name out there in case anything happens to Trump. IMHO it's wise to keep one's options open, particularly when the front-runner is in his 70's and the unthinkable isn't so far-fetched.