Interesting sample rate issues (bug?) with Logic, MIDI, and AirPods

Logic Pro 11.1.2 on M4 Pro MacBook with Sequoia 15.3.2, AirPods 2

I'm encountering an interesting problem that I don't understand. 

I have a very simple project in Logic - a few guitar tracks, Superior Drummer, and EZBass. With various plugins across tracks. 

I wanted to experiment with Alchemy for my first time. I loaded a new MIDI track with it, drew in some random notes, and hit play. At this point, I'm monitoring with my AirPods. I've used these before for monitoring with no issue for years.

Very quickly I get a sample rate mismatch error saying Sample Rate 88,195 recognized. After clearing this, I then get a System Overload error.

First, I'm not running anything at 88.2k. My project is set at 44.1k, and it's just my computer and my AirPods. No other inputs or outputs. I initially think it has something to do with Alchemy.

I tried some blunt & blind experimentation - I changed my project to an 88.2k sample rate. My project then played back 2x speed, but no crashing. Interesting, I thought, but I set the project back to 44.1k. At this point, the project tries to play back 2x speed but then immediately crashes with a System Overload. It keeps doing this. I close Logic. I reopen - same thing. I restart my computer. I try an entirely different project - same thing, 2x speed and then crash. At this point I think I broke something in Logic. 

I check my Audio MIDI Setup in my Mac Utility folder. AirPods are showing "1 ch, 32-bit Float 24.0 kHz". So, I believe I identified the "mismatch", but it's certainly not 88.2k. 

I then experiment - when Logic is closed, in Audio MIDI Setup, my AirPod settings switch automatically to 2ch 32-bit Float 48.0kHz. When I open Logic, it automatically switches to 1 ch, 32-bit Float 24.0kHz. 

I'm now sure that something is going wrong with the combination of Logic, MIDI, and my AirPods but can't understand what it is.

Ultimately, I have 2 questions: 

1. What is going on with these AirPods and Logic? Logic is auto-defaulting their Format in Audio MIDI Setup, but it's only between either 1ch 24.0k and 2ch 48.0k settings, neither of which were 88.2k like the error said. There seem to be no settings even available for 44.1k which is what my project runs at.

2. What did Alchemy/MIDI have to do with this? As I've said, I've switched between my normal monitoring headphones and AirPods for years with no sample rate issues. Only started occurring after using Alchemy for the first time (maybe it's not Alchemy specifically, but something with MIDI tracks in Logic generally, which I've never used before?)

Would appreciate if someone could help me understand what's going on here.