100% CPU Usage, FPS Drops

I've enjoyed Apex since Season 1, but the game has become unplayable. In earlier seasons, hardware was never a problem and I could run the game at a constant 165 FPS (the max my monitor can do).  My specs:

OS:  Windows 11 Home 64-bit

CPU:  Intel i7-9700K @ 3.60 GHz (8 cores)

GPU:  NVidia GeForce RTX 2080 TI

RAM:  32.0 GB DDR4 @ 4300 MHz

I have multiple SSD drives, and the OS is installed on a different one than the game.  I have no issues with everything (GPU, RAM, CPU) overclocked.  My memory and disk never even come close to being taxed.  I monitor the load and heat on the CPU cores and it's not an overheating issue either, as I use premium cooling and paste.

The problem is that Apex Legends is running near 100% CPU usage, even with 8 cores.  I have started monitoring this with multiple utilities while running the game.  It did not do that in previous seasons.  Unfortunately, this seems to lead to FPS drops at the worst possible moments (in combat), making the game completely unenjoyable.

Things I've already tried:

• I've already tried various configurations in Nvidia Control Panel, including Threaded Optimization On or Off.  Yes, I've already ensured everything, including Power Management, is set to maximum performance.  Nothing works.
• I've disabled V-Sync and lowered all graphics settings, as well as tried a hundred different combinations of settings.
• I've tried turning on and off the Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling in Windows Graphics Settings.
• I've turned off Xbox game bar.
• I've turned off Steam Overlays.
• I've turned on and off GeForce overlay.
• I've turned on and off various hardware accelerations.
• I've validated files in Steam for Apex.
• I've reinstalled Apex.
• I've cleared the Steam Download cache.
• I've done a clean reinstallation of the Nvidia graphics drivers.
• I've ensured Apex is running as administrator.
• I've tried running Apex in various compatibility settings.

I am at my wit's end.  Here's the thing - it's not happening in any other games. Please help or I simply stop playing this game.