2022 LCS Offseason Tracker

The 2021 League of Legends offseason has started ahead of its official date, Nov. 15, as teams and players agree verbally to region-altering deals in North America. Indeed, a huge influx of top European players and the odd LCK import have turned this offseason into a spicy one across the Atlantic.

Below are the projected League of Legends lineups, with teams sorted by the order in which they finished the summer split.

Last updated: Nov. 21 @ 8:30 p.m. CET

• 100 Thieves
• Team Liquid
• Cloud9
• TSM
• Immortals

All is quiet in 100 Thieves land as they showed promise at Worlds 2021 despite spending relatively little time with mid laner Abbedagge on the lineup. Considering how close they came to causing a ruckus at Worlds, an offseason move from their end would be a surprise.

Timeline:

• It’s all so quiet. *shh, shh*
• Nov. 16 @ 2:25 a.m. CET: And so peaceful until… 100 Thieves sign mithy (zing, boom!) to their coaching staff, according to Dot Esports’ Bloop.

Timeline:

• Oct. 28: Upcomer’s Tyler Erzberger (FionnOnFire) reports that Team Liquid is eyeing Bjergsen as he unretires from pro play. He also notes that Jensen is trying out at AD carry.
• Oct. 29: Travis Gafford’s sources note that Bwipo is heading to Team Liquid as a top laner. Anonimotum doubles down on Nov. 2, reporting that a verbal agreement has been reached. Bwipo would replace Alphari, who is close to returning to Europe.
• Nov. 4: Beyond the Bwipo rumor, Travis Gafford adds that Hans sama may be joining Team Liquid—a monumental move for North America. Support CoreJJ is in the process of acquiring NA residency as he applies for a green card, making this almost full-European lineup a force in the LCS. If he is unsuccessful, or if there are delays in the procedure, Eyla may take over the spot.
• Nov. 15: Guilhoto is Team Liquid’s primary coaching target. Indeed, dGon’s sources are adamant that he will take over Kold’s interim spot, allowing Kold to slide back to assistant coaching duties.
• Nov. 16 @ 1:15 a.m. CET: Dot Esports’ Bloop with the Guilhoto scoop: he and Team Liquid have agreed to a two-year deal. Kold may return to the assistant coach role under these circumstances.
• 7:00 p.m. CET: Guilhoto has officially joined Team Liquid, as initially reported by Dot Esports’ Bloop. Later, Team Liquid confirms that Kold will remain as their assistant coach.

This style denotes uncertainty.

Timeline:

• Nov. 1: Perkz is on his way out, likely headed to Team Vitality alongside Team Liquid’s Alphari. The two players would be returning to Europe after spending a year in the LCS.
• Nov. 9: As Nisqy seeks a future outside Fnatic, Cloud9 are reportedly pursuing him, according to Anonimotum.
• Nov. 11: Travis Gafford uncovers that Cloud9 may be planning to trade support Vulcan to Evil Geniuses, and that Isles is set to replace him. Upcomer’s Isaac McIntyre confirms Isles’ promotion on Nov. 15.
• Nov. 11: Travis Gafford further adds that Copy is a possible option for Cloud9—a promotion from Cloud9 Academy to the LCS. Isaac McIntyre later notes that the Nisqy option is losing steam.
• Nov. 15: Call it the oddest move of the offseason in North America: Upcomer’s FionnOnFire reports that Liiv SANDBOX’s Summit is inbound, and that Fudge will be swapping to the mid lane. Travis Gafford also speaks on the topic.
• Nov. 16 @ 2:25 a.m. CET: According to Dot Esports’ Bloop, mithy has left Cloud9 to join 100 Thieves’ coaching staff. Later on, Dot Esports highlight that the mid lane situation is unclear.
• Nov. 17 @ 6:41 a.m. CET: Dot Esports’ Jacob Wolf reports that Winsome will join Cloud9 and compete for the starting support position. Winsome will count as a North American resident as he is a citizen of the United States of America, and as he has not played in the LCK or at Challengers. The team is also eyeing former T1 Challengers AD carry Berserker and coach LS.
• Nov. 17 @ 4:59 p.m. CET: Cloud9 and South Korean AD carry Berserker have agreed to terms according to Dot Esports’ Jacob Wolf.
• Nov. 20 @ 9:00 p.m. CET: Cloud9 confirm their roster and add a layer of complexity. Many players will be fighting for the starting spots during Cloud9’s upcoming boot camp in South Korea.

This style denotes unconfirmed or volatile situations.

Timeline:

• Sept. 11: Upcomer’s FionnOnFire reports that Bjergsen is on his way back to pro play and vacating his head coach position.
• Oct. 21: EsportsTalk’s Petar Vukobrat states that TSM are letting go of PowerOfEvil, and that they are interested in Rekkles. However, no deal is done.
• Oct. 29: Upcomer’s FionnOnFire once again reports on Bjergsen, this time highlighting his potential departure to Team Liquid.
• Oct. 29: Dot Esports’ Bloop reports that SwordArt and Team SoloMid are parting ways, one year into the player’s $6 million two-year deal.
• Nov. 4: Tactical is TSM’s likeliest target for AD carry, according to Travis Gafford.
• Nov. 15: Travis Gafford reports that Team SoloMid are eyeing Liiv SANDBOX’s mid laner, FATE, and two options at support: Gen.G’s Life, and Evil Geniuses’ IgNar.
• Nov. 16: According to Dot Esports’ Jacob Wolf, TSM have agreed to terms with Golden Guardians for Lost’s transfer.
• Nov. 16 @ 2:55 a.m. CET: Another Jacob Wolf report pops, this time on mikyx’s reported indecision. Indeed, G2’s support is considering a reported offer from TSM, and there is no ink on paper.
• Nov. 17: As for why they transferred Lost, Dot Esports’ Bloop has more info: TSM are indeed buying out AD carry Tactical from Team Liquid.
• Nov. 18 @ 8:19 p.m. CET: According to Dot Esports’ Bloop, TSM have signed former Hong Kong Attitude Chawy as their new head coach.
• Nov. 20 @ 10:08 a.m. CET: As FATE joins Afreeca Freecs, TSM’s mid laner remains undetermined.

Timeline:

• Nov. 12: dGon’s sources note that PowerOfEvil and WildTurtle are inbound, providing needed stability in the mid lane and at AD carry.
• Nov. 15: Guilhoto might find a new home away from Immortals, as dGon states that Team Liquid are his next destination.
• Nov. 16 @ 1:15 a.m. CET: Dot Esports’ Bloop with the Guilhoto confirmation: he has left the Immortals building.
• Nov. 16 @ 3:26 a.m. CET: Immortals’ roster is mostly confirmed by Dot Esports’ Bloop—PowerOfEvil and WildTurtle included.

• Evil Geniuses
• Golden Guardians
• Dignitas
• FlyQuest
• Counter Logic Gaming

Timeline:

• Sept. 25: Jiizuke might be on his way out, according to Eros (Esportmaniacos).
• Nov. 4: Travis Gafford reports that Inspired is on his way to North America, specifically Evil Geniuses. Gafford also notes that Jensen is in talks with EG amid Bjergsen-to-Team-Liquid rumors.
• Nov. 9: Dot Esports’ Jacob Wolf adds fuel to one of Travis Gafford’s rumors: Inspired is indeed headed to Evil Geniuses.
• Nov. 11: Travis Gafford’s rumors center around EG’s mid lane and support choices. Young prodigy jojopyun is a potential pick for the LCS squad in the mid lane, whereas Cloud9 support veteran Vulcan is on the organization’s sights.
• Nov. 16 @ 1:03 a.m. CET: Evil Geniuses confirm that jojopyun will play in the LCS. They also bid farewell to Jiizuke.
• Nov. 16 @ 9:01 p.m. CET: Evil Geniuses announce that they have acquired Vulcan from Cloud9.
• Nov. 22 @ 7:30 p.m. CET: Evil Geniuses confirm their massive signing: 2021 LEC summer MVP Inspired has joined the LCS squad.

Timeline:

• Sept. 21: Top laner Solo is removed from the Global Contract Database.
• Nov. 11: A golden day for Golden Guardians fans, as Travis Gafford reveals that three players are inbound: Pridestalkr, Olleh, and Lost.
• Nov. 15: Isaac McIntyre (Dexerto) adds another report on Lost’s impending arrival to Golden Guardians.
• Nov. 16: Olleh has returned to pro play and has joined Golden Guardians in the LCS.
• Nov. 17: Golden Guardians announce their LCS roster, and it is as previously rumored.

This style denotes massive uncertainty.

Timeline:

• Nov. 4: The Johnsun-Aphromoo era in Dignitas may have ended according to Travis Gafford.
• Nov. 11: Travis Gafford reports that TCL finalist coach Enatron and free agent support Zeyzal could be joining Dignitas. He also notes that Blue might be joining from SK Gaming.
• Nov. 16 @ 2:31 a.m. CET: Dot Esports’ Jacob Wolf reports that Dignitas have reached agreements with FakeGod and neo; and that they have signed River from PSG Esports, Blue from SK Gaming, and coach Enatron from NASR eSports. However, there is no deal in place for Zeyzal, unlike what other outlets reported previously.
• Nov. 16 @ 9:00 p.m. CET: Dignitas confirms that they have extended the contracts of FakeGod and neo.
• Nov. 16 @ 10:00 p.m. CET: Dignitas confirms Enatron’s arrival as head coach.
• Nov. 21 @ 6:09 p.m. CET: River is officially on board until 2023.

This style denotes more uncertainty than usual.

Timeline:

• Oct. 28: An unlikely turn of events for a promising European prospect: according to Wooloo, French mid laner Toucouille is headed to FlyQuest.
• Nov. 4: Travis Gafford reports that FlyQuest are in the process of acquiring Team Dignitas’s bot lane duo, Johnsun and Aphromoo. He also notes that Palafox is on his way to another LCS team.
• Nov. 11: A tricky situation is unfolding in the top lane as FlyQuest are considering three top laners: Jenkins, Hauntzer, and Kumo. As for Josedeodo, his future within FlyQuest is uncertain.
• Nov. 16 @ 1:43 a.m. CET: Dot Esports’ Jacob Wolf breaks that French mid laner Toucouille has joined FlyQuest on a three-year deal, and that Aphromoo will join him on a two-year deal.
• Nov. 17 @ 6:14 p.m. CET: FlyQuest have announced the departures of head coach Kanani, mid laners Triple and Palafox, and support Dreams.

We will not include reports of departures as CLG is rebuilding its team from the ground up.

Timeline:

• Nov. 4: Travis Gafford reports that Counter Logic Gaming are building on a budget. In come FlyQuest mid laner Palafox, and 100 Thieves Academy’s bot lane duo, Luger and Poome. Finn was an option at the time.
• Nov. 9: Counter Logic Gaming announces that they have signed Golden Guardians Academy’s coaches, Thinkcard and Croissant, for their LCS team.
• Nov. 15: After Finn’s free agency results in a potential Excel Esports pickup, Travis Gafford reports that CLG have shifted their attention to Team Liquid’s substitute top laner, Jenkins.
• Nov. 16 @ 2:00 a.m. CET: Counter Logic Gaming officially parts ways with its entire 2021 LCS starting roster.
• Nov. 17 @ 2:15 a.m. CET: Dot Esports’ Jacob Wolf reports that Contractz has joined Counter Logic Gaming as their starting jungler.
• Nov. 19 @ 6:00 p.m. CET: Counter Logic Gaming have announced their roster for 2022, confirming all rumored moves. They have also won the Jenkins sweepstakes in the top lane.