This appears to be by design, as Edwards himself intentionally downplayed the number of homages he chose to include in the latest Star Wars film.
Gareth Edwards has done something truly special with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Ultimately, the gambit seems to have worked, as Rogue One certainly stands on its own as one of the best Star Wars films of all time.
Although the latest installment in the Star Wars franchise serves as a direct prequel to the original adventure in a galaxy far, far away, it’s a shockingly self-contained film.