I mean that is just false and conjecture. They easily could have released (some of) them leading up to OW2 on the content schedule they had been using. Imagine how much more hype it would be to learn that all these seemingly random heroes and maps we got back to back to back to back in the year and half or so leading up to OW2 all actually were key locations and heroes in the story (like we know Sojourn is). Also then they wouldnt have had to go OW2 silent for over a year cause they wouldnt have even mentioned OW2 (which was only mentioned to save their butts at Blizzcon 2019 where they had nothing else for us…and for over a year to follow)
Also, just like Rialto, the story version didnt even use the entirety of the PVP map and even had PVE exclusive portions.
They definitely could have NOT STOPPED giving maps back in April 2019 for the reason of “but they are in OW2 story…we cant do it waaaah”.
For the simple reason that is Rialto and so we would have continued to get content instead of a drought, they could have been giving us some of the story maps into OW1’s PVP leading up to OW2 to keep us occupied while they also could give themselves time to create the PVE exclusive portions of the maps.