MS Word Form & Content Controls

In essence the matter lies in Word Form data rendering in the SPO Browser Mode vs. Edit in Word. We block Edit in Word as the users need to collaborate, but are barred from download. Users are required to Edit in Browser.

I have tried various workarounds, including attempts at modifying Word Options and adjusting SPO settings - all fruitless. What is going here and is there any resolution? I am even game for finding a script to automate an "open, save, and close" process in the background. Having an admin manually open each word doc is not feasible.