Penrith Panthers star fullback Dylan Edwards has reportedly given the club's most recent contract offer the cold shoulder.
Reports suggested the Panthers had offered the star fullback, who was named as a reserve in the Kangaroos' squad for last year's Rugby League World Cup and could be on the State of Origin selection radar next year for the New South Wales Blues, a three-year deal worth $850,000 per season.
While it's believed Edwards only wants a longer-term deal to remain at the foot of the mountains, there is little doubt about his standing as one of the game's best fullbacks.
That, in short, means he could easily command up to $1 million per season if he went to the free agency market from November 1 this year instead of re-signing with the Panthers before that deadline when all players off-contract at the end of 2024 can freely negotiate with rival clubs.
In truth, there aren't many clubs that might be out searching for an upgrade in the number one jersey, such is the rich talent pool of fullbacks currently available across the NRL, but the ones who are will be desperate to rip Edwards away from the foot of the mountains.
After running the rule over the squads for 2025 as they they stand, Zero Tackle can reveal the five who need to be lining up in no orderly fashion in an attempt to secure Edwards' signature if he is still uncontracted on November 1.
3. Canterbury Bulldogs
The Canterbury Bulldogs may be a somewhat controversial addition to this list given they have signed Stephen Crichton on fullback money to take over the number one jumper from the start of the 2024 season.
But like many others, I'm not sold on him as a fullback and think that, long-term, his best position is going to be in the centres.
He has made a name for himself there within the Penrith system, but whether he can transfer those skills to the number one jumper at a struggling club remains to be seen.
That said, Edwards linking up with the Bulldogs would be a huge boost at both ends of the park for a side who have undergone rapid, but ultimately unsuccessful, transformation in the last couple of years.
Whether the Bulldogs have the money to pull off a move like that one is debatable at best, but they seem to have plenty of cap space given the calibre of player they have chased in recent times, and Tevita Pangai Junior's retirement will certainly free up plenty of cash moving forward.
