The Penrith Panthers have reportedly secured the return of Jack Cogger, with the halfback set to rejoin the club from the start of the 2026 NRL season, according to News Corp.
The 28-year-old first joined the Panthers in 2023, providing valuable depth as back-up to star halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai throughout the club’s premiership-winning campaign.
Over the course of the season, he made 12 appearances and capped it off with a grand final cameo off the bench in Penrith’s victory over the Brisbane Broncos.
At the time, Penrith was eager to retain him, but Cogger opted to seek more first-grade opportunities at the Newcastle Knights under now-departed coach Adam O’Brien.
That move, however, hasn’t gone to plan. The halfback struggled to cement a regular place in Newcastle’s ever-changing halves, and the expected opportunity for consistent game time never eventuated.
During his two years in Newcastle, Cogger made just eight appearances for the Novocastrians, with his only start at halfback in 2025 coming in Round 11 against the Parramatta Eels.
According to News Corp, Cogger’s return to the Penrith Panthers has been finalised, with the halfback signing a three-year deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2028.
Cogger’s versatility — able to play halfback, five-eighth, and hooker — is set to see him fill the Panthers’ bench utility role, replacing Brad Schneider, who is joining the Dolphins next season.
This new contract could see the 28-year-old spend the remainder of his career at Penrith, where his seven-year NRL journey has included two stints at Newcastle and a season with the Canterbury Bulldogs from 2019 to 2020.
