DRX bench Flashback days before VCT Pacific 2025 playoffs

In a surprising development, DRX has announced that Cho "Flashback" Min-hyuk will be stepping down from their main VALORANT roster just three days before the start of the VCT 2025 - Pacific Stage 1 Playoffs. The organization revealed that Flashback will transition to DRX Academy, raising questions and concerns about the team's preparedness heading into the mid-season.

The decision was described as a mutual agreement between the player and the organization. In an official statement, DRX said,

"After careful consideration and discussions, it has been mutually agreed that Minhyeok 'Flashback' Cho will be stepping down from DRX's starting roster and transition to the DRX Academy roster."

Flashback's Sudden Leave Raises Questions

The change follows Flashback's unexpected absence from DRX's Week 4 Stage 1 match against BOOM Esports, where he had requested a personal leave. That absence now appears to be more than temporary.

Head coach Pyeon "termi" Seon-ho offered some insight into the situation at that time:

"A couple of days ago, Flashback came to the team and asked for a personal leave of absence. Without any practice, we had to make the sudden change... As a head coach, when you suddenly get a request like that out of the blue, it's extremely difficult for our coaching staff and the players as well... There is some sensitive information that we can't exactly detail out today."

But as it stands, DRX still have not released the reason on why the situation has unfolded this way.

Estrella Likely to Fill the Void

With DRX operating a six-man roster, Park "Estrella" Gun is the most likely candidate to step into Flashback’s role. He had done so for DRX’s last two matches against BOOM and Gen.G Esports, and is likely to step up again for the upcoming playoff matches and potentially VCT 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025, should DRX qualify.

The timing of Flashback's benching casts a cloud over DRX’s playoff ambitions, but the organization appears committed to moving forward with internal talent. Whether this shake-up disrupts their momentum remains to be seen.

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games