James Tedesco has reportedly agree to terms on a contract extension with the Sydney Roosters, giving the NRL club some rare good news amid a tumultuous few months. According to the Daily Telegraph, Tedesco and the Roosters have agreed to extend his deal until the end of 2026.
The star fullback became a free agent for the 2026 season on November 1, but never had any intentions of leaving the Bondi club. The contract extension might be the last of the soon-to-be 32-year-old’s career.
“I don’t see that as an issue,” Tedesco said of his age last month. “If things are dropping because of my age, I understand, but after the year I just had at 31, I know what my body’s like, what my mentality is and my work rate. I’m not going to dip too much, that’s just how I am.”
The re-signing of Tedesco comes after the Roosters missed out on Ben Hunt, while the club also made the decision to let Terrell May walk to the Wests Tigers. With Joseph Suaalii, Joey Manu, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves all leaving in the off-season, there have been concerns the Roosters might struggle in 2025.
Roosters linked to Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Moses
Sam Walker and Brandon Smith will also be sidelined for the first half of the season due to ACL injuries, and the Roosters have been rather quiet on the recruitment front. But former NRL player Denan Kemp reckons a ‘mammoth’ signing is just around the corner – if not for 2025 then for 2026.
“They are entering a new phase. I think there is going to be some mammoth signings. I can not see the Roosters going another 12 months without a big signing,” Kemp said on SEN Radio on Friday.
“This whole Mitchell Moses (contract) thing is a bit weird. I think Kalyn Ponga. I know the Newcastle Knights would never let him go, but there has just been some weird smoke around it. It’s just typical Roosters fashion. It’s been way too quiet for too long. They are the best at big signings.
“The Cooper Cronk signing was arguably one of the greatest signings of all-time. They are the best in the business at it and the same people that did those signings over the last 20 years are still on the board. Something is brewing at the Roosters and I think it’s going to be monumental. It’s not just going to be one, it’s going to be multiple.”
James Tedesco willing to switch positions at Sydney Roosters
Moses is signed long-term at Parramatta, but has clauses in his contract allowing him to leave beforehand. Ponga is on $1.4 million per season at the Knights until the end of 2027, but rumours have been rife that he might be keen on a move to a powerhouse team like the Roosters.
Tellingly, Tedesco revealed last month that he discussed the prospect of moving positions with coach Trent Robinson if it meant the Roosters could snare another superstar fullback. The Roosters were believed to be a suitor for Ryan Papenhuyzen, although it looks like he’ll re-sign with the Melbourne Storm for 2026.
“I’ve chatted to Robbo maybe last year, I said I was willing to play in the halves or five-eighth, but I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Tedesco said. “Stats wise, I had one of my best years.”