This doesn't need to be hidden on this spoiler thread.
You said in your post: "I read the blog post of someone who listened to the SOD podcast say that Bo and Hope are only on for 15 episodes (there have been 7 so far), but Steve Burton signed a year-long contract - yuck".
This is not a rumor. This is not BTS (behind-the-scenes) scoop.
This is directly from SOD.
Anyone can listen to what Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso on the SOD podcast by going to this link
https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-dayss-kristian-alfonso-and-peter-reckell-guest-on-digests-podcast/
and selecting March 31,
or just go to any podcast platform Apple, spotify, stitcher, podbean, Audible, etc etc etc and search for "Dishing with Digest" and then select March 31.
Alfonso and Reckell say they filmed only 12-15 episodes.
Here is Burton's SOD Interview in which he says he "agreed to a one-year contract".
https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-steve-burton-interview-1724444/
So far, in Burton's appearances on DAYS, he has shown in the closing credits as noncontract. But he could have signed a contract at some point after joining Days which would reflect in the closing credits later on.