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.
15. Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos have added Ben Hunt to their roster for the 2025 and 2026 campaigns, and while he will likely play five-eighth to start the 2025 season, that won't be the case once Ezra Mam returns from his suspension at the end of Round 9.
Mam is the long-term five-eighth in Brisbane provided he can climb back into the form he held during his rookie season - not so much the form he held throughout 2024.
Regardless, he is contracted long-term at Red Hill, and the Broncos will have no interest in pursuing the New Zealand international.
