No, having to download 16gb just to go back into online play/training mode would've been awful, especially for people with data caps or slower internet.
Plus it's dlc, you always download that seperately regardless of what game it is, unless it's some online game and you need the files for compatibility.
Right, GAF is filled with people bitching about having to download large patches. Forcing everyone to DL a Story Mode they may never play would have irritated a lot of people. It was essentially a no win situation.