Trials is not worth playing unless you can go flawless
The vendor [b]structure[/b] is fine, but the overall rewards for playing trials is the worst unless you are capable of going flawless without much trouble. It takes forever to complete ranks even with the rank boost. There are NO post match drops until you can get 7 wins and keep winning after that (except for a drop on 3rd and 5th win). Rewards for wins after 7 are few and far between too. A single enhancement core for a drop is pathetic for an "end game" activity. There are no post match drops for losses with a 7-win card, so if you get on a losing streak its all for nothing.
If you want to get people engaged in the playlist who have no chance of going flawless then you need to make it worth the their time (and suffering) to play it. All other PvP modes, including Iron Banner, have post match drops regardless of win or lose. Trials needs post match drops too. They don't all have to be Trials gear, but whatever the drops are should be worthy of "end game" rewards.
The bottom line is the more people playing = a healthier playlist.
Simple solution is all the people they need to keep trials running (solos and average joes ) stop. Bungie will remove it or implement systems that benefit everyone. Y’all have the power to put streams and content creators out of a job.