I believe that was the original plan, or at least a 2nd half of the game thing, but they felt it threw off the pacing? I remember something in an interview about being worried players would feel no direction or motivation without the relic plot, and be confused as to what they were really supposed to be doing and why. Ironically, considering the release, I think they really wanted to hook players from the start on this one and felt players would need more than "go be the best"

Tbf I wish they had let that beginning chapter breathe more. At least a few main story gigs with Jackie before getting the gig from Dex would have been good.

Exactly. Is this what the movies call "pacing"? It's bad, anyway xD