Overwatch League Off-Season is full of Changes

Nov 15 has come and gone which means that each Overwatch League team is now required to have eight players under contract, and all players who are unsigned are free agents. Overwatch has a sign and trade deadline set for June 15, 2020, but there have already been plenty of big changes over the off-season. Here are some of the most notable ones.

Boston Uprising

The Boston Uprising had some of the most notable changes. After failing to make the playoffs this past season, they tweeted on Oct 21 that they were releasing Kellex, AimGod, alemao, rCk, Persia, and Stellar. They would later trade blasé to the Outlaws. The Uprising also signed Mineral as their new head coach, and signed Myunbong and Jerry, as well as calling up Swimmer and Mouffin.

Today we say goodbye to several members of the Uprising.

Roster announcements: https://t.co/Mv2kJkq4bG pic.twitter.com/3re8Y18fQP

— Boston Uprising (@BostonUprising) October 21, 2019

Dallas Fuel

Dallas made some small roster moves, such as trading OGE to the Gladiators for Decay and signing Gamsu and Doha, but the biggest news regarding them came in a tweet from Jayne on Nov 15. The now ex-Fuel coach announced that he would be leaving the team to pursue a career in content creation.

Big news! ??

I’ll be moving on from my position with the @DallasFuel in order to create personal and org content full time with @Envy at their HQ! You’re going to see content like you’ve never seen before, and it all starts December 1st! ?

See you then! ?

— Jayne (@AskJayne) November 15, 2019

Florida Mayhem

The Mayhem underwent some heavy changes, including firing five players, a coach, and replacing their general manager after he left the organization. The team has been terrible throughout the first two seasons of the Overwatch League, so changes have been much needed there.

Today we’d like to wish a fond farewell to @HAGOPEUN_OW, @RaiN990707, @xepher123, @Creature_OW, @Swon_ow, and @KH1_OW

Thank you all for your efforts this season. You will always be a part of the Mayhem family, and we wish you nothing but the best.

?» https://t.co/cBmd0VsMZB pic.twitter.com/5EasFhitJU

— Florida Mayhem (@FLMayhem) October 7, 2019

Houston Outlaws

The Outlaws look to have made off very well this off-season. After releasing several players and changing coaches, they were able to get their hands on Hydration and MekO, two players who have a lot of exposure and experience in the league. Hydration played for team USA in the World Cup in the past, and MekO saw a lot of success with the Excelsior. This could be a team to watch out for next season.

? BIG ROSTER MOVE ALERT ?@MekOppa ➡️ @Outlaws

Outlaws fans, can we get a #AnteUp in the comments?? pic.twitter.com/Q0q0g86nMs

— Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) November 18, 2019

London Spitfire

London made some interesting moves this offseason. They parted ways with quite a few big names, including Birdring, Profit, and Bdosin. The team didn’t perform up to expectations last season, and a big part of this may have been a result of the changing meta. Bdosin was never as good on other healers as he was on Zenyatta. The Spitfire will look to rebuild for next year.

Today, we mutually part ways with Quatermain and @BdosinOW.

Thank you to the duo who supported our team during the #OWL2019 Season – we can’t wait to see what your future holds for you! ? pic.twitter.com/GmOJSu84Nx

— London Spitfire (@Spitfire) November 12, 2019

Los Angeles Gladiators

Despite losing the ever-popular damage player, Surefour, the Gladiators have had a solid offseason. The three big names that signed with Los Angeles are Birdring, OGE, and hiring Curryshot on as their coach. They are going to be fielding a vastly different roster next season and will look to improve on a season that got them into the playoffs in 2019.

⏰ RING RING RING ⏰

Please join us in welcoming @Birdring to Gladiators! pic.twitter.com/Azu7luKyAP

— Los Angeles Gladiators (@LAGladiators) November 6, 2019

Philadelphia Fusion

After a spectacular first season, the Fusion struggled in 2019 and now they are overhauling their roster. Philly got rid of almost every big-name player they had, with the exception of Carpe, who they signed for three more years. EQO also decided to rejoin the fusion after being initially released.

Philly made drastic coaching changes as well, naming KDG as their new head coach and replacing other members of their coaching staff. Expect a drastically new look from Philly next season.

Toronto Defiant

Toronto is sitting real pretty so far this off-season. The additions of Surefour, Agilities, Kellex, Beast, and Nevix to the roster will surely help their chances in 2020. The Defiant also made changes to their coaching staff to start fresh in the new season. Toronto fans have a lot to be excited about with the changes to their roster, and there’s a good chance they will be competitive in 2020.

We’re super excited to announce that @Nevix_OW will be joining the Defiant for the 2020 Season! Our team and staff are incredibly excited to have him complete our tank line. #RiseTogether pic.twitter.com/qW89XT3sKi

— Toronto Defiant (@TorontoDefiant) November 7, 2019

Washington Justice

The Justice didn’t look so great in their inaugural season and have already made a large number of roster changes during the off-season. Ado, SanSam, janus, Fahzix, Hyeonu, sleepy, and Gido will not be returning to Washington and rOar, TTuba, AimGod, and Sup7eme have been signed.

They also released their entire coaching staff, signed a new general manager, and several new coaches. It will be interesting to see if these moves pay out for them.

There are plenty of other changes that have happened so far, and there are bound to be plenty more over the next few months leading up to the 2020 season. Be sure to stay up to date with all the latest Overwatch League roster changes with Esportz Network.

Written by Nathaniel Searl