PapaSmithy hints at possible changes for FlyQuest in 2027

2-3 defeat to at the 2026 Demacia Cup Global Invitational parallels the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) squad's tragic season. This is the third consecutive year FlyQuest nearly beats an LPL or LCK team in a best-of-five series. The elimination series reflected the team's season: immense potential, capable of rivaling top squads, but squandered when it matters most.

The offseason hasn't begun, yet Chris “PapaSmithy" Smith, FlyQuest’s President and Chief Gaming Officer, has shared a development heading into the 2027 season. “After giving this squad of players and coaches a full year to develop, it’s clear that we will need to consider roster changes to become a true contender team,” the Australian wrote on his official X formerly Twitter account.

2026 was a wild ride season for the youngest roster across Tier 1. FlyQuest almost finished first in Lock-In’s regular season before bombing out in consecutive 0-3s. A renovated team blossomed in Spring, which almost won the EWC Qualifiers and was one best-of-five away from Finals weekend. “At the end of Spring split, both on stage and in scrims I could see all the reasons why our team could reach Worlds[…],” Papasmithy said about the first half.

“Yet as Summer split progressed, watching the same stage and scrim games I could see all the reasons why our team was at great risk of missing Worlds[…].” FlyQuest regressed on Summer, but rode enough momentum to reach the playoffs, win one series, and claim a spot at the inaugural Demacia Cup.

FlyQuest will start its offseason plans towards the 2027 season with a difficult conversation. The two remaining pillars from the team’s 2024-2025 dominant era, mid laner Song “” Su-hyeong and bot laner Fahad “" Abdulmalek, as well as Assistant Coach Apollo “Apollo" Price, have contracts expiring at the end of 2026.

Massu and Quad were pushed into an uncomfortable situation the moment they became the most experienced players: leading these promising rookies. Both performed well individually; Massu ranked second in Damage per minute in the LCS playoffs, and Quad ranked in the top 60 in Kill Participation over the year. However, problems arose when the team needed leadership and decision-making.

Head Coach Thomas “Thinkcard" Slotkin considered Demacia Cup the moment the team had to prove themselves. Thinkcard, top laner Ibrahim “" Samet Bulut, jungler Johnson “" Le, and 2026 Rookie of the Split support Michael “" Luu have contracts for at least next year. However, the League of Legends offseason is tumultuous and unpredictable, and all plans can change.