More than four months removed from November 1, there are still 136 NRL currently Top 30 contracted NRL players without a club to call home for 2027.
The Perth Bears still have more than half of their inaugural Top 30 to fill, and most clubs are in need of players, whether re-signed or otherwise, to complete their look and feel for 2027.
When you run the rule over the list of players who remain off-contract at the end of 2026, there is still a mountain of talent available.
Taking into account the likely value to a rival club - age, talent and potential included (for example, Cody Walker has been left out as he approaches the end of his career) - here are the Top 20 players to remain without a contract for 2027.
Click here for the full list of off-contract players at the end of 2026
Siua Wong was originally named in this list, however, it has since emerged he has re-signed with the Roosters during the off-season.
24. Cory Paix (Brisbane Broncos)
Paix has had an intriguing - and frankly roller-coaster like last couple of years.
Prior to Michael Maguire's arrival, it seemed he had played his final game for the Broncos. There was really no going back. He was down the pecking order, and the club were trying to move him on.
That came from a mix of salary cap issues and the fact Paix, a former junior representative player with the ability to feature in the halves or at hooker, hadn't lived up to his potential.
But then things shuffled. Paix found his way back into first-grade under Maguire, and clearly, has worked hard on his game under the winning coach.
Now he is back off-contract at the end of 2026, and while his desire to leave Brisbane has always been skinny, the fact the Broncos have Blake Mozer who must find game time either this year or next if they want to retain him long-term, may well make Paix surplus to needs with Ben Hunt and Billy Walters both at the club.
Hunt will likely retire either this year or next, but Walters and Mozer seems the likely one-two punch at the dummy half position moving forward for the Broncos.
Some interesting reading there, particularly in the way you have rated them.
I wouldn’t have expected Purdue to be #1, or Taulagi at #4
To me it’s all about potential upside… What does a player provide over the terms of their next deal. Can’t see too many doing more than Purdue on this list.