[arendtio]

I think you are missing the point. Respecting systems doesn't mean 'not touching' or 'working around' existing systems. It just means 'understand it, before you change/rewrite it'. Otherwise, your rewrite might be even worse.

I have seen people proclaiming a rewrite with a newer technology would be a good idea who didn't have the slightest clue about the system they were trying to replace (except that it was build with some outdated technology) and I am 85% sure, that their rewrite would have been worse. When I confronted them with my claims, they gave up quickly.

As a Senior Engineer, you should know what you are doing. If you see obviously bad code, thinking about a rewrite is no sin. Just try to understand what caused the current system to look like it does.