Most good developers are already in a stable job.

I would not leave a w2 job for a contract job. Nor would any good developer I know.

This is why the industry "forgets" it. It's not that attractive to a good candidate.

I've done it many times. It's attractive if the offer is attractive. Last one I took was a $20k raise over the prior job. The one before that was a $30k raise. It's only risky if you're not confident in your skills.