The move made by the five-eighth’s manager has upset the Eels.
In addition to Mitchell Moses’ contract dispute, the Parramatta Eels have been rattled by rumours that playmaker Dylan Brown is weighing his options with NRL rivals. In a terrible 2024 season, Brown was a reliable player for the Eels, filling in at halfback when Mitchell Moses was sidelined due to injury.
The five-eighth’s player option to remain with the team expires in round ten of the 2025 NRL season. Brown was expected to remain at the Eels, where he currently earns about $900,000.
According to rumours, Brown will assess his worth on the open market prior to deciding on a long-term contract, despite the Eels’ hope that he will stay from 2026 to 2031. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, his management emailed other teams to enquire about their interest in the 24-year-old’s skills.
In addition to reaching out to rival NRL teams, his manager is also courting rugby union teams. According to the magazine, manager Chris Orr wrote an email saying, “Please get back to Gavin and I on email to register your club’s interest in securing the services of Dylan Brown for season 2026 and beyond.”
After determining the degree of interest, we will collaborate with you to schedule a suitable time to meet Dylan. It is rare to find these kinds of “franchise players” on the market.
With new coach Jason Ryles presently overhauling Parramatta’s roster, this is a significant setback for the Eels. Following discussions with Arthur, former captain Clint Gutherson was permitted to join the Dragons, while experienced forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard also departed after being cut after the last year of his contract.
Mitchell Moses’ contract is a problem for the Eels.
Additionally, Ryles, who would have been concentrating on negotiations with Moses, will be devastated by the news. The NSW halfback was spectacular in State of Origin last year and would be the main point of the Eels’ roster development going forward.
Moses is under contract and has player options in his agreement for 2027 and 2028, but Parramatta want to tie him down on a new deal. Winning a championship was one of the reasons Moses left the Wests Tigers in 2018.
The Eels are currently going through a rebuild phase under Ryles after performing poorly over the previous two years. Additionally, Moses could become a free agent on November 1, 2025, under the terms of his current contract. Moses is reportedly being offered a lifetime contract on a boosted deal by the Eels.
This might see the player choices stripped from his contract. Though the Roosters now have enough of room in their salary cap, it is unclear if Moses intends to stay with the Eels.
