The NRL player market has been thrown into fresh speculation, with Daly Cherry-Evans’ reported salary at the Sydney Roosters sparking plenty of debate across the league.
While figures surrounding the veteran halfback’s deal with the Roosters remain murky, some reports suggest the contract is worth far less than expected for a player of his calibre.
That has raised eyebrows and opened the door for rivals to consider whether a more lucrative move could be on the horizon.
Enter the Parramatta Eels. The western Sydney powerhouse, desperate to rebuild their roster and inject experience into their halves, are rumoured to be circling with a potential $2.5 million package designed to tempt Cherry-Evans away from Bondi.
Such a deal, if true, would represent one of the richest offers in recent memory and immediately reshape the NRL landscape. It would also reignite the long-running conversation around the league’s salary cap and how clubs balance marquee signings with squad depth.
For the Roosters, Cherry-Evans’ presence is seen as a short-term fix following injuries and depth concerns in their playmaking stocks. But with Parramatta now reportedly preparing to swoop, the veteran’s future is suddenly less certain than it appeared only weeks ago.
At 36, Cherry-Evans remains among the game’s most reliable and competitive halves, with a career that includes premiership success, Origin heroics, and a long-standing reputation as a leader on and off the field. The chance to finish his career on a mega-deal could prove too good to refuse.
Whether the Eels truly push through with a $2.5 million offer, or whether the Roosters can hold firm, this story is set to dominate headlines until a final decision is made.
One thing is clear: Daly Cherry-Evans continues to be one of the most talked-about players in rugby league — both for what he delivers on the field and the intrigue that always seems to surround his contract negotiations.
