NRG allow crashies to explore his options for the off season

NRG allow crashies to explore his options for the off season

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

4 Aug, 2024, 04:24

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Last updated: 9 Apr, 2025, 14:18

NRG has taken to X (Twitter) to announce they will be allowing Austin "crashies" Roberts to explore his options in the coming off season as an unrestricted free agent.

Having joined the team when NRG purchased the OpTic Gaming core back in the late 2022, crashies' future lingers in the air for the first time in years.

With his door wide open, and the recent increase in intercontinental rosters all over the VCT, it will be exciting to see whether crashies remains in the Americas league for 2025, or if his future lies overseas.

Crashies weighs up his options

Approaching the off season as an unrestricted free agent, crashies waits to find out what the future holds for him.

Despite the player's dip in performance for the VCT 2024 Americas Stage 2, there are sure to be a good number of teams all across the VCT looking for a seasoned initiator to bolster their ranks.

And yet, while crashies may just suit up in a different jersey for the VCT 2025 after 2 years with NRG, the team has made sure to make it clear that remaining with the team is still a very real possibility for the North American player.

"We will continue to work closely with him during this off-season as our planning progresses."

A total shakeup for NRG

With crashies' potential departure from the team, NRG may just don an entirely different look for the 2025 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT).

NRG has had an tumultuous year in VALORANT. After failing to qualify for playoffs at the VCT 2024 Americas Stage 1, the team opted bring back veteran In-Game Leader Pujan "FNS" Mehta and former controller player Sam "s0m" Oh for Stage 2. The shocking move at the time meant that NRG would be forced to move star duelist Demon1 to the bench despite the hype and hope around the player elevating NRG's level of play in 2024.

Despite the shakeup, however, the team finished Stage 2 with a 1-3 record. After an early end to the season and frustration continuing to mount, NRG were quick to react. Much to everyone's surprise, the team announced their decision to part ways with another seasoned veteran in Victor "Victor" Wong, as well as with head coach Chet "Chet" Singh.

Nearly two months after the news hit the world, NRG's most recent announcement regarding crashies indicates that the team is still looking for ways to correct course, even if that leads to a complete rebuild.

NRG Current Roster:

  • Pujan “FNS” Mehta
  • Sam “s0m” Oh
  • Ethan “Ethan” Cole Arnold
  • Max “Demon1” Mazanov (Sub)


There's still plenty of VALORANT action ahead in the OFF//SEASON. So, check in with Strafe to catch all of the latest VALORANT news.

Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Source:Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

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