Been thinking on this today. Spitballing, but here is my unsolicited thought based on recent R Senators and Sekulow’s comment about an affirmative defense. Defense finishes their opening, 16 hours of submitted questions happens. Motion made to vote on conviction and does not pass. No witness vote. Rough guess.
Reasoning is that D’s brought up too much in their opening. Defense will bring up more, the affirmative defense, which introduces more evidence against others. Senate will want to open up new hearings based on what’s been introduced. Drops #3741 and #3742. Senate will have no choice but to not convict and then immediately open new committee hearings on Biden, etc.