David Klemmer has had a tumultuous week to say the least, and now it's reported that he could be shuffled out of the Newcastle Knights in the near future.
First linked to the Parramatta Eels just hours before Monday's NRL transfer deadline, the move ultimately never happened.
He was then suspiciously left out of Newcastle's side for this coming weekend's clash with the Wests Tigers, with the club releasing a statement shortly afterwards stating that he had been handed a show cause notice over an on-field disciplinary matter.
Reports afterwards suggested it was for refusing to come off the field, with speculation then mounting on Tuesday that the Knights could move to terminate the final year of his deal.
By no means is the speculation anything more than that, however, the veteran prop had previously reportedly looked into his options leaving the Knights when Daniel and Jacob Saifiti were both renewed on extended deals, making them the future of the club, with Klemmer resigned to a bench role at the time.
He has regained his starting role this year, yet could still realistically find himself at a new club during the 2023 campaign.
Here are the five clubs who could chase him.
The Eels are the club who Klemmer was linked to this week, and are clearly chasing a prop. They had also inquired about the possibility of taking Martin Taupau on loan until the end of the season.
Given they are also losing Isaiah Papali'i, Marata Niukore and Ray Stone at the end of the year, it would come as little surprise if the Eels were fishing around for another middle forward option who could add plenty of punch off the bench.
While it's thought Klemmer doesn't want to play off the interchange, and that was one of his key gripes in Newcastle last year, a middle third rotation where he comes off the bench behind Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo - both Origin calibre players - would be devastating to say the least.
Would he move to Parramatta to play second fiddle? That remains to be seen, but if the price is right, there is no reason a move like this couldn't work well for all parties.
The simple fact is that Klemmer coming off the bench behind that sort of platform could turn him into one of the most dangerous players in the competition.
From Parramatta's side of things, the extra aggression would go down a treat as well.
You can already read the "salary cap, what salary cap?" comments if a move like this was to be completed given Klemmer's price packet of around a reported $800,000 per season at the Knights as it stands.
But in this instance at least, that wouldn't be entirely fair on the Roosters.
Sure they have added Brandon Smith to their roster for 2023, but the loss of players like Siosiua Taukeiaho, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and a number of other players has surely freed up some money. Matt Lodge is also off-contract and unlikely to hang around at the Roosters for another season, although stranger things have certainly happened.
The loss of Taukeiaho in particular has also ramped up the urgency to bring in another aggressive starting-calibre player.
While the club have Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Origin level forward Lindsay Collins on their books, that doesn't mean they are set when it comes to depth, especially after it was revealed Collins would be taking an extended break due to concussion issues.
Given the Kiwi Waerea-Hargreaves has often come from the bench for Trent Robinson this season, it would also allow Klemmer to start - something he clearly wants to do.
The Storm could be a legitimate option for the Klemmer come the start of the 2023 season.
While it's unclear exactly what salary cap position Craig Bellamy's side are in, the need to add more experience into a forward pack who will have undergone an almost entirely full cleanout in two years will be evident, and has been already at the back end of this year with the club lacking experience and leadership.
Klemmer brings both of those in spades, and given all of Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Brandon Smith are on the way out, only offset by the arrival of Tariq Sims in the forwards, a player like Klemmer could be exactly what the Storm need.
For Klemmer, playing under a coach like Craig Bellamy might be exactly what he needs as well, as he moves into a winning environment and goes to the next level to become the NRL's potentially best prop.
This is a move that could work for all parties if the money exists.
The Tigers ability to go after a player like Klemmer will be dictated by whether they elect to re-sign James Tamou or not. The experienced prop of 300 games is still off-contract at the end of the season.
While the Tigers have signed Apisai Koroisau and Isaiah Papali'i for the 2023 season, their losses - Luke Garner, Luciano Leilua, Thomas Mikaele and Kelma Tuilagi - still have some ground to be made up.
That is even more evident when you consider some of the issues that have plagued their young pack this year.
Stefano Utoikamanu has spent a sizeable chunk of time injured and Joe Ofahengaue has been excellent, but it's clear they are still one gun short in the engine room.
Klemmer working with Utoikamanu and Ofahengaue could take them to the next level, and his own professionalism and competitive desire could be exactly what the Tigers need.
The Dragons seem to be the best potential option for Klemmer, should he indeed exit the Knights at the end of the ongoing season.
Anthony Griffin's side recruited a number of players ahead of this season, but none of them have overly excelled, with many on the wrong side of the speeding up game.
Names like Aaron Woods and Jack Gosiewski, as well as previous signatures like Josh McGuire were supposed to toughen up their forward pack, but have instead left them with one of the leakiest middle thirds in the competition according to all key metrics.
Klemmer would add a mountain of toughness and big minutes to an under-performing pack should he make the move to the joint venture, as well as an air of experience and ferociousness.
Klemmer is the exact sort of player the Dragons need, although whether he would be willing to move from one struggle to another is anyone's guess.