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.
9. St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons have added Daniel Atkinson to their squad for 2026, likely ruling out any potential play for Brown.
But - and it's a big but - there is some doubt about how Lachlan Ilias and Kyle Flanagan will work in the halves this year.
If Shane Flanagan ultimately decides neither is the right option moving forward in the number seven jersey, then there is a scenario where the Red V utilise Atkinson as halfback rather than five-eighth in 2026, and make a play to bring Brown to the club.
Money is certainly not an issue at the Dragons, who despite adding plenty of experience for 2025, still have plenty of cash up their sleeve, but points might well be following the release of Ben Hunt.
Coach Flanagan is telling anyone who will listen that the Dragons will be a better outfit in 2025 despite the releases of Hunt and Zac Lomax, but the proof will certainly need to be provided over the coming months.
