Parramatta Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown will field offers for 2026 and beyond as he contemplates his future.
It's a major blow for the blue and gold, with their strategy of contract options yet again backfiring.
Brown will make a call on whether he is remaining with the Eels or not for the first of two player options included in his deal until the end of 2031 by the end of Round 10, but in the meantime, there will be plenty of conjecture following the New Zealand international around.
It's the last thing rookie coach Jason Ryles needs as he looks to turn Brad Arthur's old team into a finals team after they slumped to the wrong end of the table last year.
Described by his agent as a 'franchise player' in an email to all 16 other clubs, there will be plenty at least weighing up their options when it comes to making a play for Brown ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Here is where each rival NRL club is likely to sit in the chase for Brown.
16. Melbourne Storm
No club has less of a need to sign Brown than the Storm.
The club with debatably the NRL's best spine already have enough issues sorting out their own roster without trying to add another elite spine player.
Jonah Pezet is reportedly set to re-sign, but it has been reported he won't be hanging around if Jahrome Hughes is to be extended beyond the end of his current deal which expires at the end of 2026.
Hughes (2026) and star halves partner, Queensland State of Origin star Cameron Munster (2027) are both signed beyond the end of this season, so this is a no go zone for both Brown and the club.
