Since the Call of Duty League 2023 season wrapped up, rostermania has been running wild. We’ve already seen more changes being lined up than ever before, and it’s promising to be a rampant shake-up ahead of the 2024 season. Last night, Sam ‘Octane’ Larew announced his retirement from the Call of Duty League following eight years as a competitor which have seen him secure a world championship ring – and we’re only just getting started!
There are expectations that we’ll see more retirements as the weeks wear on. Last year, the Call of Duty League 2023 season started earlier than ever, with the action commencing mere weeks after the 2022 season ended. That has now led to the season ending earlier, of course – we likely have five months until the release of Modern Warfare III, which means that there’s going to be a huge gap before the CDL is back on our screens.
Changes Everywhere, All The Time
Octane’s retirement has been the first huge news piece of rostermania 2023 (Image Credit: LA Thieves)
Currently, rostermania is built around players and organisations announcing whether or not they’ll be extending contracts in the coming weeks. There are a lot of competitors waiting for the ‘transfer window’ to open to see where they’ll land, but for now, it’s mostly players accepting that they’re becoming unrestricted free agents over the next few days. While the retirement of Sam ‘Octane’ Larew is the most recent news to hit the airwaves, we’ve seen changes within almost every team across the board.
Minnesota ROKKR
It was revealed that the entire squad will become UF/As as Version 1 refuses to exercise second-year options for the majority of the players. This news comes weeks after the rumours surfaced that Version 1 was planning to sell Minnesota ROKKR when the season came to an end.
- Bance (UF/A)
- Attach (UF/A)
- Cammy (UF/A)
- Fame (UF/A)
- Afro (UF/A)
Toronto Ultra
As Hicksy departs Toronto Ultra following his rookie season in the CDL, we’re learning that there are plans to ‘surround Scrap’ with more rookie players going into 2024.
OpTic Texas
As one of the most beleaguered teams this season, OpTic Texas failed to snatch a single chip, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. We’ve learnt that big changes have happened in the last few days. This news comes despite OpTic Texas having put down some record-setting gameplay this year.
- Ghosty (UF/A)
- Huke (UF/A)
Los Angeles Guerrillas
It comes as no real surprise that LAG is making some massive changes to the team. There are expectations that the organisation will be sold during the off-season.
- Assault (UF/A)
- Exceed (UF/A)
- JoeDeceives (UF/A)
London Royal Ravens
It was a terrible season for the Ravens, the team that finished flat-bottom with just $10,000 in winnings. There are some immense changes on the horizon that could see the organisation leave the EU branding behind.
- Asim (UF/A)
- Nastie (UF/A)
Las Vegas Legion
Clayster has another season in him, but it won’t be with the Las Vegas Legion (Image Credit: COD League)
It was a remarkable season for the Las Vegas Legion, emerging as the ultimate underdog side with a powerful bite – but the squad didn’t clutch up during any of the Major tournaments. There’s now a need to redesign the entire squad.
- Clayster (UF/A)
- Standy (UF/A)
- Temp (UF/A)
- TJHaLy (UF/A)
LA Thieves
It wasn’t the best season for the LA Thieves, despite winning big during the 2022 season by becoming the world championship-securing organisation. We’re expecting epic changes in the off-season as rumours circulate that the entire squad faces the chopping block.
Seattle Surge
For the time being, Seattle Surge has avoided rostermania – for the most part, at least. In recent days, substitute Gwinn has revealed his intention to leave the squad, but the core four remain in place.
Florida Mutineers
There are plans to reportedly rebrand the Florida Mutineers, merging the organisation with another to become the Miami Heretics. That’s why it comes as no surprise to learn so many changes have already been put in the pipeline.
- Brack (UF/A)
- FeLo (UF/A)
- Capisdal (UF/A)
- Havok (UF/A)
Boston Breach
Boston has been subjected to so many changes this season, the least of which saw Methodz retire from actively competing earlier on in the year. There will now be several changes in store for the squad, which failed to gain too much traction this year.
- Owakening (UF/A)
- Vivid (UF/A)
- Nero (UF/A)
New York Subliners
Subliners claimed the top prize on three occasions during the 2023 season (Image Credit: NYSL)
At present, the New York Subliners haven’t made any changes. Owing to the team’s culture and the fact that the squad picked up two chips and a world championship during the 2023 season, we can’t see any changes being made in the off-season.
Atlanta FaZe
It’s rare that Atlanta FaZe makes any changes – and none have been confirmed just yet. However, we’re expecting that SlasheR will depart the squad in the coming days, and then it’ll be a guessing game to determine his replacement.
There’s A Long Road Ahead
With these changes being the first wave in countless amendments yet to come, things are very obviously heating up. It’ll be a completely different scene by the time November 2023 rolls around and the next generation of Call of Duty kicks off in earnest.
Do you have any predictions for where these players will land?
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