Horizontal metrics change between weights in source

The variable version of Open Sans was created with equal metrics between weights. This is ideal so there is no reflow as the user/designer changes sizes. However, this will certainly cause reflow all over the internet if designers switch from the static weights to the variable fonts on their pages. As @m4rc1e puts it, this will break the internet.

I am of the mindset that we should move forward with this, but it would take a sustained PR campaign for designers to become aware of this and decide if they want to go to the VF or stay static (good luck to @davelab6), so I also think that Open Sans VF should be served as a different family so this doesn't happen.

As this is the first substantial remastering of a static family for VF that we are preparing to release, I feel like we should set a precedent and try to stick to it. Should we serve VF fonts alongside their static versions, or should we essentially overwrite static fonts with their variable versions?

I can see a plan where we have a Google Variable Fonts – with variable fonts being the focus and static fonts being deprecated – but this certainly entails a substantial reworking of...uhh, everything associated with this project.

Anyone who has opinions, please share them.