Evil Geniuses allow icy to explore options ahead of the VCT 2026 season

Evil Geniuses' Duelist Jacob "icy" Lange has announced that he has been granted permission to explore his options for the VCT 2026 season.

2025 was an up-and-down venture for Evil Geniuses, who ultimately ended the season in 7th-8th place by the end of VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Stage 2. Throughout the year, EG showcased promise as a darkhorse contender for international events, with their peak coming at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Stage 1 when the team narrowly missed out on VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025. Now, it seems that Evil Geniuses will be looking at possible changes to the lineup heading into the new year.

One of the polarizing figures for Evil Geniuses' 2025 season came in the form of icy, who showcased a wide-ranging level of play. In Stage 1, icy alongside the team’s newest addition in Jaccob "yay" Whiteaker were responsible for Evil Geniuses' surprising run to fourth place in the Americas. Unfortunately, consistency proved to be the biggest issue for icy as he was unable to replicate that level of performance in all of their matches throughout 2025.

While he has cited in his announcement post that he is “still being considered in EG’s rebuild process”, he has been granted the opportunity to explore his options ahead of the VCT 2026 season.

Icy sets his sights on the new season

Icy will be looking to play his third year in the VCT's top-tier leagues after spending 2023 as a member of Evil Geniuses' backup squad. He will be looking to make his return to the international stage following a semi-successful stint in 2024 with G2 Esports.

He has cited that he is open to playing most roles apart from “recon initiator" and IGL, with hopes that his flexibility will help him land a team in the VCT 2026 season. For now, icy will be looking to either prove his value and return to Evil Geniuses or find a new home moving forward.

Be sure to follow THESPIKE.GG for more VALORANT offseason roster updates like this.

Cover photo by Tina Jo/Riot Games