This Chicago based Boeing management was more interested in pushing the MAX out the door than in quality and safety. Were the results not so horrible, this would be like the pointy haired boss in the Dilbert cartoon strip!
One impact of COG is controlability limits. As new, physically larger engine have to be installed ahead of the wings of A320neo and 737Max the COG changes. This could be a result of the investigations of the 737Max troubles.