With the Call of Duty Championship quickly approaching, four CDL teams have missed out on qualifying. As these teams enter rostermania, it’s time to evaluate which players they should retain for next season or if they should consider a complete roster overhaul.
After Major 4 in late June, four of the 12 CDL teams were eliminated from Champs contention, giving them an extended offseason to strategize for next season. The Vegas Legion, Carolina Royal Ravens, Minnesota Rokkr, and Boston Breach now have several months to prepare.
The first decision these teams face is whether to extend contracts for any current players or to release them.
Here’s my take on who these teams should keep:
Vegas Legion
Attach still has a lot to offer. The Legion were close to qualifying for Champs, so maintaining their roster could be wise unless clear upgrades are available. If retaining only a couple of key players, Attach and either Nero or Gio show the most promise. Attach had a top-five K/D ratio this season, while Nero and Gio were impactful. A couple of changes are needed, and Gio, being the younger player, is the optimal choice to retain.
Carolina Royal Ravens
The Ravens have potential but need another star like Gwinn to climb the standings. Gwinn is a must-keep, as he had an outstanding season. While Clayster remains solid and great for fan engagement, and TJHaly had a strong individual season, Gwinn stands out as the team’s star. FeLo’s experience at Champs makes him worth considering, but exploring other AR talent might be beneficial.
Minnesota RØKKR
Outside of Major 1, RØKKR struggled despite some standout performances. Securing Lynz with a longer contract should be their top priority. He had an excellent rookie season, unlike his teammates. RØKKR are expected to have a different roster for the Esports World Cup, suggesting they won’t stick together for Black Ops 6.
Boston Breach
Boston Breach won just two of their last 20 series, putting them in ‘blow it up’ territory. Beans stands out and should be kept for Black Ops 6. MajorManiak didn’t have enough time to prove himself, but finding a partner for Beans is crucial. Priestahh is talented enough for a better team, but a fresh start focusing on Beans is needed. Snoopy has shown talent, but all options should be considered.
Teams will continue to assess players during Champs and the Esports World Cup, which will inform their decisions for the 2025 Black Ops 6 season. How these teams will actually handle their rosters remains to be seen.