Dog fighting surely is a last resort scenario but in an all out conflict within contested airspace certainly a likely possibility ,I would think. Why then be OK with a jet that doesn't give you that last resort option to live and fight another day....
Because when things get to the "last resort in an all out conflict" the point is to COMPLETE THE MISSION,
not "live to fight another day". If the mission is really important and intercept is likely, you provide an escort that is optimized for air to air so the strike guys can get in and do their job while the fighter guys get in a fur ball with the defenders.
....if it is possible to have a jet that gives you that option?
You haven't been following this thread long have you? It is NOT possible to be a superlative strike aircraft AND a superlative air superiority fighter. If it were possible, we'd have F/A-22s. And they are a bigger fantasy than a close-in dog fighting F-35.