30+ years ago - while working on the development of the original 777 (and shortly after the fatal Lauda 767 in-flight T/R deployment) - I made the half serious suggestion that perhaps we should simply get rid of the reversers, maybe add a 'drag chute' that the pilots could deploy if they got nervous. Save weight and the costs/maintenance of the reversers.
The response was that proper use of the reversers reduced brake wear (and the associated maintenance) by over $100 per landing (figure the number would be more like $200-$300 in today's money).