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.

11. Gold Coast Titans

Unlikely is the first word that comes to mind when the Titans and making a play for Dylan Brown are mentioned in the same breath, but it's certainly not impossible that they would consider their options when it comes to Brown.

The signing of Carter Gordon has added yet another spanner to the mix at the Gold Coast, but their spine have struggled regardless of the make up in recent times.

AJ Brimson, Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell are all in the mix for the number one jumper, and either Brimson or Campbell could yet play in the number six. Gordon is the other option for that jumper, with Kieran Foran likely to play seven.

Foran though could well retire at the end of 2025, shuffling Gordon into the seven.

Brimson, Campbell and Kini are all signed through to at least the end of 2026, but the issue still comes down to whether any of those players work at number six.