Off contract in 2026: The 59 players, including Origin stars, whose NRL careers are on life support

In an age where NRL contracts are signed more than 12 months in advance, it's rare to see quality players still available this close to pre-season training kicking off.

However, as it stands, some very notable names are without contracts heading into 2026 and will no doubt be hoping to secure their futures soon.

Among them are former State of Origin stars, experienced campaigners and some youngsters with plenty still to offer in the top grade.

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Here's every player still without a contract for 2026.

BRISBANE BRONCOS

The majority of Brisbane's premiership-winning squad have either extended or found new homes already, but there are still three men left in limbo.

The most notable of those is prop Fletcher Baker, who featured two times this season.

Still only 25 years of age, Baker could be a handy late pick-up for a number of clubs.

Players off-contract: 3

Delouise Hoeter, Fletcher Baker, Israel Leota

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Two experienced former New Zealand internationals remain unsigned after this year with the Green Machine.

Danny Levi spent the past three seasons in the nation's capital but wasn't offered a fresh deal and is on the hunt for a new club at the age of 29.

The other notable name is Corey Harawira-Naera, who hasn't played since suffering an on-field seizure two years ago, but hasn't officially given up the game yet.

Players off-contract: 3

Corey Harawira-Naera, Danny Levi, Jordan Martin

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Four of the club's depth players have fallen out of favour, with winger Blake Wilson and front-rower Daniel Suluka-Fifita the most likely to get a fresh deal elsewhere.

Wilson has been linked with Manly alongside hooker Jake Turpin.

Players off-contract: 4

Blake Wilson, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Drew Hutchison, Jake Turpin

CRONULLA SHARKS

N/A

DOLPHINS

After slipping down the pecking order this year and only managing four appearances in the top grade, foundation player Sean O'Sullivan is on the hunt for his fifth club.

The 27-year-old halfback would be a steady depth option for plenty of teams and has shown he can perform when called upon.

Players off-contract: 3

Harrison Graham, Michael Waqa, Sean O'Sullivan,

GOLD COAST TITANS

Perhaps one of the most surprising names on this list is halfback Thomas Weaver, who hasn't been extended by the club despite showing great promise as a junior.

Weaver only played five games this season but at 22 years of age, his best football is ahead of him and with Kieran Foran retiring, it does leave a hole in the roster.

Players off-contract: 4

Harley Smith-Shields, Ryan Foran, Sean Mullany, Thomas Weaver

MANLY SEA EAGLES

While the majority of the rugby league community knows where Daly Cherry-Evans will be playing next year, the facts are nothing has been formally announced.

However, even aside from the champion halfback, Manly have already informed winger Tommy Talau he won't be extended and he finds himself in need of a new home.

Talau has struggled with injury throughout his career but when he's fit and firing has proven to be a quality outside back, scoring 43 tries in 81 first grade games.

Players off contract: 6

Aitasi James, Daly Cherry-Evans, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Raymond Vaega, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Tommy Talau

MELBOURNE STORM

Fresh off a grand final defeat, it has been confirmed that prop Tui Kamikamica won't be at the club next season and the Fijian wrecking ball has been linked with South Sydney.

Among the other players unsigned as it stands is young forward Ativalu Lisati, who had some strong showings in the NRL this year and is set to debut for Samoa on Sunday.

Players off-contract: 5

Ativalu Lisati, Dean Ieremia, Lazarus Vaalepu, Marion Seve, Tui Kamikamica

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

The most notable name on this list is Jackson Hastings, but it won't come as a surprise that his services are no longer required at the Knights.

Hastings had fallen out of favour over the past 18 months and with Dylan Brown joining as the long-term halfback, there is no room for the 2019 Man of Steel Winner.

Versatile forward Adam Elliott is also without a contract but should be picked up by another club sooner rather than later.

Players off-contract: 4

Adam Elliott, Jack Hetherington, Jackson Hastings, Mason Teague

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Not much to write home about here, with neither of the club's unsigned players managing a game of first grade during the 2025 season.

Players off-contract: 2

Morgan Harper, Tom Ale,

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

N/A

PARRAMATTA EELS

A couple of outside backs remain unsigned right now, but it's front-rower Wiremu Greig who is the interesting name without a contract.

Greig was starting to find his feet a couple of years ago under Brad Arthur, but injuries and a change of coach saw him slip right down the pecking order at Parramatta.

Still only 25 years of age, the hulking prop could be worth a gamble for another side.

Players off-contract: 3

Haze Dunster, Richard Penisini, Wiremu Greig

PENRITH PANTHERS

Plenty of first grade experience from the Panthers remain free to sign anywhere, but at this stage only fullback Daine Laurie has been linked with another club.

It's expected that after not being offered a fresh deal by the club, Laurie will move to the nation's capital and join the Raiders for 2026.

Soni Luke, who at one stage was seen as the replacement for Api Koroisau at hooker, also remains unsigned by the Panthers.

Players off-contract: 7

Asu Kepaoa, Daine Laurie, Harrison Hassett, Luke Sommerton, Preston Riki, Riley Price, Soni Luke

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

It might sound strange for a club that finished 15th on the ladder, but the Dragons have yet to re-sign two Origin players for next season.

Corey Allan, who missed his entire first year at the club with an ACL injury, was in and out of the team in 2025 and has been told he won't be extended.

David Klemmer is a different story, with the early indications being that Shane Flanagan might look to keep the experienced prop around while some young guns develop.

Players off-contract: 5

Corey Allan, Michael Molo, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Viliami Fifita, David Klemmer

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

One of the most disappointing falls from grace in recent memory is Josh Schuster, who had the world at his feet a few years ago but is now in the rugby league wilderness.

The talented utility has battled off-field issues but if he can put it all together, still has time to turn things around and salvage an NRL career.

Players off-contract: 4

Haizyn Mellars, Josh Schuster, Shaquai Mitchell, Thomas Fletcher

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

No major surprise to see two hookers unsigned for the Chooks given the impending arrival of NSW Blues star Reece Robson.

Players off-contract: 2

Tyler Moriarty, Zach Dockar-Clay

WESTS TIGERS

The two key names on this list are outside backs Brent Naden and Charlie Staines, who both played their fair share of NRL this season for the joint venture.

Naden has plenty of experience but has battled with injuries at times, while Staines is a solid enough back-up that he could find another top 30 spot.

Justin Matamua was a highly-touted player coming through the grades, but quickly fell out of favour under Benji Marshall and was playing Ron Massey Cup at one stage.

Players off contract: 6

Brandon Tumeth, Brent Naden, Charlie Staines, Josh Feledy, Justin Matamua, Kit Laulilii