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.
1. The Dolphins
The Dolphins are reportedly the first club to consider whether they will make a pursuit of Brown, and it should come as little surprise.
They missed Ben Hunt in recent times, clearly have money to throw at players, and have uncertainty around their current halves combination.
While Isaiya Katoa is certainly the future at halfback, and Kodi Nikorima was certainly impressive throughout 2024, there is real doubt whether that is a premiership-winning combination.
Brown pairing up with Katoa on the other hand while Nikorima plays a super-sub role off the bench?
Bingo.
