I do wish professionalism could go hand in hand with contentious conversations, but the Internet isn't built for it.
Two respectful people can respectfully disagree on a nuanced issue and it'll spark a wildfire of discourse still.

This I don't contend with. I do wonder how he'd react to a serious conversation about systems and rules with people willing to press him on it.

I know Quinn from Quinn's Quest did a podcast recently with him, but I doubt it was super contentious cause they both seem friendly and professional.

To be fair, the bit of contested roll is that Brennan has to take the opposing side of whatever the other person is saying.
I read it as bantering rather than him kicking Luis down.