Thats the uncharitable reading and the link discusses that.

My opinion. If they thought it would sell, then they knew it was an acceptable option. Biden's decision not to understand the wisdom of a one term presidency was his failure. So it doesn't matter whether he planned to be a one termer or not, the option was in the frame. Therefore it was a real option he had, whether he took it seriously or not is all to his failing.

The answer to why he wouldn't commit to it early is given in the linked article. If he had he would be a lame duck from the outset. Politics is about timing, a confirmation of a one term presidency at a normal time would have been the correct action. So from what I gather about the process, that would've been about a year out from the end of term.