I don't think they were particularly close to catching up with SpaceX in the launch capabilities, unless you simply mean that they can seemingly land a booster. They just don't have the manufacturing scale of SpaceX, which helps to drive down launch costs. Blue Origin first have to match what a Falcon 9 launch can be booked for, at a time when SpaceX are already focusing on their next rocket, Starship. Blue Origin have a mountain to climb, but we shall see. The space race will certainly be fascinating to watch.
I don't think they were particularly close to catching up with SpaceX in the launch capabilities, unless you simply mean that they can seemingly land a booster. They just don't have the manufacturing scale of SpaceX, which helps to drive down launch costs. Blue Origin first have to match what a Falcon 9 launch can be booked for, at a time when SpaceX are already focusing on their next rocket, Starship. Blue Origin have a mountain to climb, but we shall see. The space race will certainly be fascinating to watch.