I have rooted androids in the past and run google free. The problem is not all phones can be rooted, have their bootloaders unlocked, etc. The /e/ project has a device ready to go with google free android but they are in Europe and the phone does not appear to have T-Mobile frequency. Same with the Librem 5 just launching. Secure and google free but lacking the late bands I need.
I have never owned an Android device that I was unable to root. And I have owned some fairly obscure devices which I was unable to find any directions from others about how to do it. Sometimes, when they receive a fresh OTA (over the air) update it takes people a few days or occasionly even weeks to figure out how to do it. In general however the more popular the device the more likely it will be that an easy solution exists.
However it is true that there are some devices that are more difficult for the “community” to crack especially if you have special needs.
So other people know what you are talking about...
https://www.howtogeek.com/358166/using-android-without-google-a-kind-of-guide/