There are practically no independent AA(A) studios with RPG experience left. THQ Nordic/Embracer (how many?), Nacon (Spiders, Cyanide), and Focus (Deck13) absorbed most of them in Europe, and Microsoft did in US.
Tapping into companies specialized in co-development is probable imo. Like Certain Affinity, Behaviour Interactive, Sumo Digital, and Asobo. They may not be specialized in RPGs, but they at least have competency in execution and some have experiences with open world action things.
If they really want to tap into a studio with RPG experiences, doing partnership with publishers like THQ Nordic, Nacon, or Focus would be viable, I think. Before all these dramas, Bloodlines 2 was one of the most hyped RPGs in recent years after all.