TL;DR
- NRG Valorant removes s0m and FNS from starting roster, leaving only crashies and Victor Wong
- Both players confirmed benching and will stream during offseason while exploring opportunities
- FNS plans to build new team from scratch with s0m included in roster plans
- Contract situations differ: s0m expires end of 2024, FNS remains under contract until 2025
- Team failed to meet expectations with top-12 finish at Valorant Champions 2023
Significant changes have hit the NRG Valorant competitive lineup as veteran players Sam “s0m” Oh and Pujan “FNS” Mehta announced their departure from the active roster. This development follows earlier industry reports about potential roster moves within the organization.
The initial breaking story from WIN.gg indicated that s0m, FNS, and European competitor Ardis Svarenieks would all be removed from the team’s competitive structure. This represents a major shakeup for one of North America’s prominent Valorant squads.
According to competitive sources, NRG will proceed into the VCT 2024 season with Austin “crashies” Roberts and Victor Wong as their foundational players, creating three vacant positions that need filling before next season.
The gaming duo, famous for their collaborative ranked sessions and popular streaming content, publicly acknowledged their roster status change during recent broadcasts. Their confirmation adds official weight to what was previously speculative reporting.
“We’ve been removed from the primary competitive lineup and during this transitional period, both Pujan [FNS] and myself will focus on content creation through streaming,” s0m stated during his live stream. “Should compelling competitive opportunities emerge, we’ll certainly evaluate them seriously.”

FNS revealed ambitious plans to construct an entirely new competitive squad from the ground up, drawing parallels to his previous team-building experience with Envy. He confirmed that s0m would be part of his envisioned roster, though specific details about additional players or organizational backing remain undisclosed.
Currently, the official player transfer period for Valorant organizations remains closed. Industry sources indicate it will reopen approximately in mid-September, enabling partnered teams to formalize new signings and releases.
Contractual situations present different scenarios: s0m’s agreement concludes at year’s end, while FNS will probably stay on NRG’s inactive roster until another organization acquires him, as his contract extends through 2025 according to global esports contract databases.
Both competitors served as crucial components of NRG’s competitive framework throughout the recent season. However, the organization fell short of projected results, culminating in a disappointing top-12 placement at Valorant Champions. This tournament ultimately saw fellow North American representatives Evil Geniuses claim victory after defeating Paper Rex in the championship match.
NRG has not yet issued formal confirmation regarding the roster adjustments involving both players, meaning these developments currently remain unverified by official sources.
For players navigating similar roster transitions, understanding contract timelines becomes essential. The mid-September transfer window represents a critical period for career decisions, while streaming provides both income stability and visibility to potential new organizations.
Common mistakes during such transitions include rushing into unfavorable contracts, neglecting streaming audience building, and failing to properly evaluate new team opportunities. Successful players often use this transitional phase to expand their personal brands while carefully assessing competitive options.
Action Checklist
- Monitor mid-September transfer window for new opportunities
- Build streaming audience during offseason for leverage
- Evaluate new team offers against contract terms carefully
- Research organization stability and competitive history before signing
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