Joseph “Strong” Edwards, who left NRG Esports back in March, resurfaced in an unexpected spot during VALORANT Champions Tour Masters London 2026. He was spotted helping Global Esports during the tournament, a quiet move that says a lot about how coaching works in competitive VALORANT right now.

How the news came to light

Strong’s involvement with GE wasn’t revealed through a press release or a flashy org announcement. It was first noticed in a GE vlog, of all places.

A VALO2ASIA podcast episode that aired on June 29, 2026, later confirmed what eagle-eyed fans had already pieced together. Strong had been providing coaching support to the South Asian roster during their Masters London campaign.

Masters London 2026 ran from June 6 to June 21 at the Copper Box Arena in London, featuring a $1 million total prize pool. Strong’s presence suggests GE wanted experienced hands on deck for one of the biggest stages in competitive VALORANT.

GE’s run ultimately ended with a 1-2 loss to Xi Lai Gaming.

Strong’s coaching pedigree

Strong’s tenure with NRG began in late 2024 or early 2025, during which time he served as an assistant coach. The team posted strong results during his time there, including a third-place finish at VCT Masters Santiago 2026.

He parted ways with NRG on March 26, 2026. Strong has since indicated he’s open to both coaching opportunities and roles in media and content creation.

Before his time in VALORANT, Strong accumulated experience coaching in League of Legends as well.

What this means for the esports coaching landscape

There has been no formal announcement regarding Strong’s long-term involvement with GE. The lack of a formal contract signifies the transient nature of many coaching roles in esports, where organizations often look for expertise on short notice.