The 2026 NRL season isn't just another year; it feels like a crossroads.

With Adam Reynolds already confirming his departure, attention turns to a group of veterans whose futures are far less certain.

Contracts are expiring. Bodies are slowing. And in some cases, the game itself is moving on.

Only one of these men has secured a premiership ring, but their impact and success cannot simply be defined or measured by this singular achievement.

These aren't just experienced players; they're club-defining figures. And for each of them, 2026 shapes as more than a season. It might be the last time we see them put on the boots.

4. Daly Cherry-Evans: Sydney Roosters

Few careers have taken a turn quite like Daly Cherry-Evans'.

After a dramatic exit from Manly, his move to the Roosters felt less like a long-term plan and more like a final roll of the dice. A one-year deal. Uncertainty hangs over everything.

Even now, the questions linger—does he go again, or is this it?

At 354 games and counting, and with the 100-try milestone within reach, Cherry-Evans doesn't need to prove anything. But the reality is harsh: if the Roosters don't extend him, where does he go?

For perhaps the first time in his career, the future isn't in his control. And that's what makes this season feel different.