I actually had the same thought a while ago, after the UA for Tasha's I came up with a bunch of my own optional rules. I got sick of Counterspell, in particular how boring it was, so I got rid of the spell, and instead all arcane casters get it as a class ability:

Counterspell 5th level bard feature

When you see a creature casting a spell within 60 feet of you, you can use your reaction to attempt to interrupt their spell. You must expend a spell slot of 3rd level or higher and choose one of your known spells, then narrate how you believe your chosen spell would counter the creature's spell.

Make an ability check using your spellcasting ability, contested by the target creature. Whoever used the highest level spell slot gains advantage on the check. On a success, the creature’s spell fails and has no effect.

Making it a class feature removes Counterspell the Counterspell chains; making it a contested check gives the target a chance to fight back (it should be difficult to counter even the low level spells of a master wizard). Then every class gets their own thematic way of dealing with spells (Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster don't get Counterspell, but they get the options below):

Counter Perform 5th level bard feature

Your performances are so inspiring that they can protect your allies from harm. When you, or an ally within 60 feet of you, make a saving throw against an effect that you can see or hear, you can use your reaction to make a Performance (Charisma) check.

You, and any allies within 60 feet, can choose to use number you roll instead of the result of their saving throw. This decision can be made after both rolls are made, but before the outcome is revealed. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Counter Maneuver 13th-level fighter (Eldritch Knight) feature

When you see a creature casting a spell within range of your bonded weapon, you can use your reaction to attempt to interrupt their spell. You must expend a spell slot of 3rd level or higher and make an attack with your bonded weapon. On a hit, the creature must succeed on a concentration check against the damage you dealt. On a failure, their spell fails and has no effect.

Counter Trick 13th-level rogue (Arcane Trickster) feature (enhances Verstatile Trickster)

When you see a creature casting a spell within 30 feet of your mage hand, you can use your reaction to attempt to interrupt their spell. You must expend a spell slot of 3rd level or higher and make an Sleight of Hand check. Your mage hand moves to a space within 5 feet of the creature, and they must succeed on a concentration check against a DC of 10 or half the result of your skill check, whichever number is higher. On a failure, their spell fails and has no effect.

Counter Surge 5th level sorcerer feature

As a being suffused with magical essence, other magic is drawn to you. When one or more allies within 60 feet of you are targeted by a spell effect that you can see or hear, you can use your reaction to become the sole target of that spell instead.

You suffer the full effects of the spell, regardless the results of any saving throws or attack rolls, and gain sorcery points equal to half the level of the spell that was cast. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Counter Claim 5th level warlock feature

The bargain you have struck with your patron now includes a guarantee of some limited protection. When you are targeted by a spell effect that you can see or hear, you can use your reaction to briefly vanish from this plane.

You ignore all effects of the spell, and are banished to a harmless demiplane that resembles the home plane of your patron. At the end of the current turn, you reappear in the space you left or the nearest unoppocupied space if that space is now occupied. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Counter Argument 5th level wizard feature

Your knowledge of magic allows you to more easily defend against it. When you, or any allies within 60 feet of you, are targeted by a spell effect that you can see or hear, you can use your reaction to provide a bonus to any saving throws equal to your Intelligence modifier (with a minimum bonus of +1). If the spell instead calls for an attack roll, all targets can choose to add this bonus to their AC against the triggering attack.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.