by The VALORANT esports community was taken by surprise as NRG Esports announced the departure of two prominent members: Victor “Victor” Wong and head coach Chet “Chet” Singh.
This marks a significant shakeup for a team that has already had a tumultuous year of competitive play.
NRG’s performance in the 2024 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) has been disappointing.
Following a strong start at the VCT Americas Kick-off, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs after finishing fifth in Group Alpha of the VCT 2024 Americas Stage 1.
In response, NRG brought back veteran in-game leader Pujan “FNS” Mehta and former controller player Sam “s0m” Oh for Stage 2, moving star duelist Max “Demon1” Mazanov to the substitute position and letting Jimmy “Marved” Nguyen go.
Despite these changes, NRG won only one of their four Stage 2 games, finishing fourth in Group Alpha and missing the playoffs again.
The decision to part ways with Victor and Chet appears to stem from the need to reassess and rebuild the team’s dynamics.
VCT Roster Update: Today, we have decided to release @victorwong and @chetsingh from the NRG VALORANT roster.
From the beginning, they've had an incredible impact at NRG and we are so grateful for all their contributions. Thank you for everything and we wish you the best! pic.twitter.com/8GTMGuVDTX
— NRG (@NRGgg) July 16, 2024
Victor, a versatile and experienced player, struggled to deliver consistently at the highest level, finishing Stage 2 with an overall rating of 0.92.
His departure suggests that NRG is looking to inject fresh talent and new strategies into their lineup.
Having been with NRG since 2022, Victor’s presence will be missed by players and fans alike.
Chet’s departure as head coach is equally significant.
Known for his strategic mind and experience across various esports titles, Chet’s tenure with NRG was marked by highs and lows.
While he contributed to some of the team’s strategic successes, the overall inconsistency likely prompted the organisation to seek a new direction in coaching and leadership.
Welcoming Demon1 back into the fold should improve this struggling NRG roster, as he brings a winning mentality and valuable experience from his time on the Evil Geniuses VALORANT Champions-winning squad.
This move by NRG reflects a broader trend in the esports industry, where organisations are quick to make changes in pursuit of success.
The competitive nature of VALORANT, coupled with the high stakes of the VCT circuit, means that teams must constantly evolve and adapt.
As NRG navigates this transitional phase, fans will be watching closely, hoping that the changes will lead to a resurgence in form.
The departure of Victor and Chet marks the end of a chapter but also opens the door for new possibilities and a potential comeback in the competitive VALORANT scene.
NRG VALORANT Roster
- Pujan “FiNESSE” Mehta
- Sam “s0m” Oh
- Austin “crashies” Roberts
- Ethan “Ethan” Arnold
- Max “Demon1” Mazanov
- Assistant Coach: Tanishq “Tanizhq” Sabharwal
