NRG reportedly benches rising VALORANT star after lackluster 2025 Kickoff showing

After a disappointing showing at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Kickoff, NRG has fallen out of contention to represent the Americas region at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Bangkok 2025. With an extended break ahead before the start of VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Stage 1, the management might be making some big decisions surrounding the organization's VALORANT roster—including benching one of the most promising young talents in the region, along with a key member of the coaching staff.

A sudden change?

E4Equip's Tanmay Mhatre says that NRG is reportedly benching up-and-coming initiator star Andrew "Verno" Maust, along with the team's new head coach Malkolm "bonkar" Rench. It has only been about four months since the two members were acquired by NRG, but now, the organization is seemingly looking at other options before the start of the new season. In the beginning of the year, NRG's new pick-ups were firing on all cylinders, helping the team win back-to-back events at VCT OFF Season - SEN City Classic and SVL - Main Event. It seemed like a perfect start to a new beginning for the squad, but after dropping out of Kickoff in the second round of the lower bracket, there might be some changes in the works.

Bonkar, on the other hand, was making his debut as a head coach in a tier-one league. After transitioning from a player to a VALORANT coach in 2023, the 29-year-old began his journey with Oxygen Esports, leading the squad to multiple wins at tier-two and three events. This latest showing at Kickoff 2025 was, however, a step back for his coaching career, even though the entire roster underperformed. Verno had a tough time against the competition as well, sitting in the bottom 15 for ACS across all players in the tournament and struggling to find consistency throughout his matches alongside his teammates.

Finding consistency

If NRG benches Verno and Bonkar, they will have just over a month to find a replacement for each individual. The team could, for example, promote Joseph "Strong" Edwards from assistant coach to full head coaching responsibilities, but finding a new player to replace their 18-year-old prospect might be a bit harder of a task. NRG still has a formidable squad at its core, boasting some talented veterans like Pujan "FNS" Mehta, Sam "s0m" Oh, and Ethan "Ethan" Arnold, along with Adam "mada" Pampuch, who has proven to be one of the best young stars in the league. It will, however, take a bit of time for the lineup to adjust to a new player before they're tasked with taking on some of the best teams in the region. Should NRG bench Verno, there is also a possibility that the young star finds his way to greener pastures with a new organization later in the year.

If you're looking for the latest news in VALORANT, or you want to stay updated on the evolving situation around NRG's current roster, keep tabs on THESPIKE.GG.