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.
5. Sydney Roosters
The final club is the Roosters.
As it stands, the tri-colours could risk losing both Joseph Manu and James Tedesco at the end of 2024. Manu is off-contract, and while Tedesco has signed until the end of 2025, his form this year suggests retirement may be closer than that.
If it happens that way, Manu could slot in at fullback, but signing Edwards in November could be the insurance policy the Roosters need if Manu hadn't re-signed by then.
And even if the New Zealand international does re-sign, there is no reason he can't stay in the centres, where he is one of the best in the, or shuffle into the halves on a permanent basis.
A Roosters team with Manu and Edwards would be stronger than one without either of them, so the tri-colours making a move for Edwards could ultimately make sense on multiple fronts.
