The Parramatta Eels have responded to reports Dylan Brown is looking to test the open market, while the star playmaker’s manager has hit out after his sales pitch email was leaked.
Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill responded to Wednesday’s furore over Brown’s future.
“It’s well publicised that Dylan has an option in his contract that expires in Round 10,” The Eels said in a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We wanted to be proactive and get a resolution earlier and preferably before the season begins.
“Dylan is happy at the club, he has been here since he was 16 and we have put a lot of time into Dylan during his career and we are confident he is going to stay and have a great season.”
Brown has options in his favour to stay at the Eels until 2031, but his manager Chris Orr has made it clear that the five-eighth isn’t yet committing long-term to Parramatta.
The playmaker has until Round 10 of this season to trigger his player option for 2026, but it seems as if he’d prefer to test the waters before doing so.
According to Code Sports and SMH reports, Orr sent the following email to several NRL teams and in a shock twist, to some rugby union clubs as well.
“Please revert back to Gavin and I on email to register your clubs interest in securing the services of Dylan Brown for season 2026 and beyond,” the email read.
“Once we finalise the level of interest, we will work with you to set up an appropriate time to catch up with Dylan.
These type of “Franchise Players” don’t come on the market very often.”
Brown, who is said to be paid around $900,000 a season, isn’t the only Eel who has player options littered through his deal.
As it stands, Blues halfback Mitchell Moses has player options in his deal for 2027 and 2028.
Star centre Will Penisini also has a similar clause in his deal.
If Brown was to leave at season’s end, it wouldn’t be the first time Parramatta’s affinity with adding player options into contracts has backfired.
Last year, talented junior Blaize Talagi didn’t trigger an option in his deal and left the Eels to join Penrith in a crushing blow.