It’s not cynical at all - clock management is recognized and even appreciated as an important part of the game. Teams routinely practice how best to take advantage of the last 2 minutes of the game, and if they misuse even a few seconds of game time the coach gets roasted by the media.

When coaches are able to find a loophole to burn additional seconds off the clock, they are celebrated for it [1], and the rules are typically amended for the following year.

[1] https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/10/19/mike-vrabel...