Maybe it wasn’t the time for s1mple in FaZe yet. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Or maybe, there is still time. I’d want to assume that the deal falling through between NAVI and FaZe was likely a matter of failed negotiations, rather than FaZe not showing interest. Either way, it means that the Latvian laser is back in the roster.
Many Counter-Strike connoisseurs have framed FaZe’s decision not to pursue s1mple as managerial complacency, but I see it differently. Recency bias has made people overlook the pillar of consistency broky has been for FaZe over the past 4.5 years. In a team riddled with volatile elements, broky has remained steadfast. Lest we forget, broky lifted 11 notable trophies, including the Major title in Antwerp, while being MVP thrice and earning EVP honors 17 times.
What Might Have Stopped FaZe from Signing s1mple
The answer is frustratingly simple: FaZe don’t have the money. s1mple’s contract, which is rumored to tie him to NAVI for another five months, is a roadblock. From NAVI’s end, he’s just sitting on the bench, draining the payroll, and playing no part in their future.
It feels like FaZe are playing the long game, waiting NAVI out. Maybe the buyout drops as the contract inches toward its expiry. Or maybe FaZe swoop in once he becomes a free agent. In the meantime, it’s a second wind for broky. A final audition to see if this roster still has fuel in the tank. And realistically, there isn’t a single team in the current top 15 where s1mple fits cleanly. I doubt there’s a bidding war around the corner.
So this might be a trial. A test run for broky. A moment for karrigan to decide the future structure of this lineup. And perhaps, just perhaps, there’s still a world where we see s1mple don the FaZe jersey before the curtains close on 2025.
Why broky remains central to FaZe’s recipe for success
Ever since broky joined FaZe in 2019, he has stood out even under pressure, despite sharing the server with giants like NiKo, ropz, and Twistzz. He has never had the reputation of a proper star, but he’s always been right up there, doing the heavy lifting without fanfare. The coy thing about broky is that he has always been a selfless AWPer.
He’ll be the one backing the rifles, still putting up consistent numbers. He’s never been the kind of AWPer to blow up a server with a 1.50 rating, but rather the one who’ll be consistent with a 1.20 every series, enough to win games when paired with an outburst from one of the rifles. That’s been the formula for FaZe wins time and time again.
His strength, combat AWPing, makes him a plug-and-play piece for the rest of the year. He has always been the one to adapt, providing both close-range and long-range engagements, adding to his unpredictability. His passivity complements the aggression around him, acting as the glue that holds FaZe’s structure together. He has provided stability without encroaching on the team’s space.
On CT sides, broky has often been the spine of the defense. He holds the crux together, and it’s no coincidence that FaZe’s 2025 struggles on that front align with his dip in form. For context, in 2023, his average damage per round on CT was 80.5, compared to 67.4 on the T-side. Yes, players like ropz and frozen have made vital contributions over the years, but broky has been the one manning the ramparts when the pressure peaks.
What to expect from FaZe with broky back in the mix
Even with s1mple, arguably the most dynamic CT-side AWPer in the game, FaZe’s defense lacked cohesion. A rejuvenated broky could mend that, offering the consistency karrigan needs to shift his attention to play around with his T-side woes. We could see the best CT-side from FaZe all year long, but I still doubt if it would be anywhere near the level they need to be a title contender. From what we have seen with this iteration of FaZe, they like to move around a lot on the CT-side.
broky will have to be the one plugging the gaps, being more fluid throughout the CT-side, and that will require a lot of intent, which has been clearly lacking this year. Coming from a hiatus, it’s not going to be as easy as it sounds, but if a young broky can take all the pressure like it’s nothing when he joined FaZe, you can certainly trust his 24-year-old version a bit more.
Will broky be a better fit than s1mple?
Now, this is the question everyone’s been itching to answer. broky is good, broky is great, but is he better than s1mple? Well, not quite. It’s not just about swapping firepower, it’s a change in the very soul of the team, and is more about how broky fits into karrigan’s vision.
broky offers karrigan more control over the tempo, more room to maneuver, but at the cost of raw output. The ceiling drops. And suddenly, it becomes imperative that EliGE and frozen hit peak form. That demands unwavering faith from karrigan, trusting the rifling duo to go head-to-head with the firepower factories that are Vitality, Falcons, Spirit, and even NAVI. Will that be enough? As of now, I remain unconvinced. What FaZe have on the table doesn’t look like it can revive the era of 2022.
