Yeah, it seems that Mitch's TDS is stronger than his desire to be Majority Leader again. My hunch is that he thinks that MAGA is going to fade soon, so he's trying to keep Trump endorsed candidates out of the Senate. But that's a dangerous plan, and the damage that will be done with another two years of a full Democrat Party run government is likely to be irreparable. For that matter, it might not be repairable now, after the last year and a half.
I believe that you are right. McConnell is wrong and betting on the wrong horse.