The Sydney Roosters have just nine players contracted for 2025, and a number of important, potentially club and future-defining decisions to make.

As it stands on November 1, Trent Robinson's side has decisions to make on 12 players coming off-contract at the end of 2024, not to mention a handful of players they still need to sign for 2024 that may only be included on one-year contracts.

What is clear is that for Joseph Manu - who is one of the biggest names off-contract - the Roosters will need to hope the lure of winning games is enough, given they won't be able to offer him as much money, or the same position on the park as rivals.

The likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Daniel Tupou are also off-contract at the end of 2024 and approaching the end of their careers, while Angus Crichton has a big call to make.

Then there is the pack of young forwards. Siua Wong, Nat Butcher and Terrell May - the Roosters will be desperate to re-sign all three, but money may be an issue.

Brandon Smith's player option that he may or may not take is another issue.

In this series, Zero Tackle are running the rule over every NRL team's state of play for 2025 and the players they need to target in free agency.

Current squad for 2025
Egan Butcher, Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu, Tyler Moriarty, Victor Radley, James Tedesco, Robert Toia, Sam Walker, Dominic Young

Current best 17 for 2025
1. James Tedesco
2. Dominic Young
3. Robert Toia
4. No player signed.
5. No player signed.
6. No player signed.
7. Sam Walker
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Tyler Moriarty
10. Spencer Leniu
11. Egan Butcher
12. No player signed.
13. Victor Radley
14. No player signed.
15. No player signed.
16. No player signed.
17. No player signed.

Players off-contract at end of 2024
Nat Butcher, Angus Crichton, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu, Terrell May, Lewis Murphy, Brandon Smith (player option), Sandon Smith, Joseph Suaalii, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Naufahu Whyte, Siua Wong

Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Roosters could target for 2025 and beyond.

EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024

4. Kayal Iro

It's fairly clear the Roosters are going to be potentially looking for new signings in the outside backs.

We have just touched on the why, but Kayal Iro could be setting up for one of the biggest signing frenzies in recent times.

He has made it relatively clear he wants to play first-grade football, and so should he. He is far too talented to be running around in reserve grade for much longer.

That said, he was linked with an exit from the Sharks during 2023, but it never came to be.

The Roosters are a club who would likely have plenty of minutes for Iro, whether that be at centre or on the wing, while if they lose Manu, he would also automatically become the second-choice fullback, potentially taking over from Tedesco following his retirement.