Nathan Cleary has declined to definitively rule out exploring the open market at the conclusion of this season, though he openly acknowledges that departing the Penrith Panthers would present a significant emotional challenge. Cleary is currently under contract with the Panthers until the end of the next season, with the club having initiated preliminary discussions regarding a potential extension with both the star halfback and his father, Ivan, who serves as head coach.
Contract Uncertainty and Market Dynamics
The 28-year-old playmaker appears to be in no immediate hurry to finalize his future plans. However, if he remains unsigned by November 1, he is poised to become the most sought-after commodity on the NRL market for the 2028 season. Cleary has never previously tested free agency, having secured long-term contract extensions in 2018 and 2022 well ahead of becoming eligible for the open market.
"It's a process that's pretty foreign to me, I've never done it," Cleary stated ahead of Saturday's match against Parramatta. "That's a discussion to be had in the coming weeks or months or whatever. I don't know. I wasn't going to close off any avenues, like I was quite open to everything ... I just didn't want to really lock myself in too early. But I've always said as well that a week is such a long time in rugby league let alone a few months, so you just don't know what's going to happen."
Speculation and Decision Timeline
Cleary feels it is premature to engage in detailed discussions about his future, but he conceded that ongoing speculation might compel him to accelerate his decision-making process. Australia's Test No.7 has been linked to interest from the new club Papua New Guinea, though he clarified that this is not a consideration he has entertained.
When directly questioned about the difficulty of envisioning a departure from Penrith, where he debuted in 2016 and has secured four premierships alongside his father as coach, Cleary affirmed the challenge. "It's pretty hard to imagine right now, yeah," he admitted. "I haven't really thought about it too much but trying to imagine being somewhere else, it's tough to think of in my mind."
Financial Implications and Club Loyalty
Should Cleary enter the open market, he would likely command a record-breaking salary, potentially making him the highest-paid player in the NRL. However, it is improbable that he would leverage a bidding war to inflate his value at Penrith, as Cleary has previously emphasized his reluctance to strain the club's salary cap.
Having already achieved four premierships with the Panthers, and with the team demonstrating dominant form in the opening three rounds of this season, the prospect of pursuing additional titles at his local club could serve as a compelling reason to remain. Conversely, the allure of conquering new challenges elsewhere might motivate some players, though Cleary downplayed this factor.
"I don't think that would ever play a part in my decision really," he explained. "I think that's just the by-product of trying to be better each and every year, and each and every day."
