This is just an attempt by The New York Times to save what little credibility they have left by downplaying the conclusion. There is overwhelming evidence that it leaked from a lab and The New York Times, and most other mainstream news outlets downplayed the idea and criticized those who believed it.

The New York Times essentially serves as a PR firm for powerful corporations, billionaires, big pharma, government, elites, military industrial complex, etc. They aren’t going to damage their reputation further by admitting that they knew this all along but intentionally misrepresented and/or hid the facts.

I recall Jon Stewart went on the Stephen Colbert show maybe a year ago and talked about this. He got totally slammed and called a “conspiracy theorist” and all the other names that people who question official narratives get these days.

Also always be wary of anonymous sources.