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.
14. Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks have made their intentions regarding their halves moving forward very clear.
Backing up on an excellent second half of 2024, Braydon Trindall has re-signed with the club until at least the end of 2028. Nicho Hynes on the other hand is on contract until the end of 2029.
The Sharks have a wealth of talent coming through their junior ranks to back the duo up, and at any rate, Brown would have no interest in signing on as a backup.
