Yes, we can change, but it’s still installed and running services in the background if I recall.

You can disable or remove Chrome depending on your device

I run a simple combo of Firefox and Kiwi Browser so I get a taste of both browser engines and don’t really have any issues since I get extensions too in both.

The thing we do need to be observant about is Google Play Services and its tentacles of that sticky little system-priv framework and what it can do. AFAIK, it can still use Chrome even if disabled/removed during a Factory Reset and why there are FRP exploits using Chrome + webviews.