The article definitely discusses COVID because it is a big driver behind this drop in life expectancy but it also talks about other causes of death that have increased in frequency that contributed to this change, and other causes of death that have actually decreased in frequency (but not enough to offset). Overall I found this to be a good article. I don't see how the title can be clickbait if it it contains an interesting data point that is expanded upon well in the article.

The title is still accurate, no?

And the reason for the decrease in life expectancy is still a reflection of the state of the US public health system.

The title subliminally suggests that we've lost 26 years of life expectancy. Many will perceive it this way. This very reasonably can be considered a form of clickbait.