Dylan Brown Sweepstakes: NRL Superstar Sparks Bidding War as Clubs Vie for $1.2M Playmaker

The future of Dylan Brown has become one of the hottest topics in rugby league, with the star playmaker reportedly offered to all 16 NRL clubs and Rugby Australia. Brown’s unique contract with the Parramatta Eels includes a player-option clause, allowing him to potentially remain with the club until the end of the 2031 season. However, his current deal expires at the end of this season, leaving his future shrouded in uncertainty.

Despite new Eels coach Jason Ryles expressing confidence in retaining Brown, the $900,000-a-season five-eighth has become one of the most sought-after players in both rugby codes. Rumors suggest that Brown is seeking a deal worth $1.2 million annually to leave Parramatta, which would elevate him to the elite pay bracket alongside 2023 Dally M Medal winner Kalyn Ponga and four-time premiership winner Nathan Cleary.

The Dolphins were the first club to publicly declare interest in Brown, and they have since been joined by the Newcastle Knights, St George Illawarra Dragons, and two other undisclosed teams. Each of these clubs is desperate to secure a game-changing playmaker, and Brown’s addition could significantly enhance their premiership aspirations.

A move to Redcliffe would see Brown join forces with rising star Isaiya Katoa in the halves, creating a dynamic pairing for the Dolphins. At the Dragons, he could resolve the club’s long-standing halves dilemma following Ben Hunt’s departure, teaming up with either Daniel Atkinson or Lachlan Ilias in 2026. Meanwhile, Newcastle presents an enticing prospect, as Brown would form a lethal combination with Queensland Maroons star Kalyn Ponga. Together, the duo could spearhead the Knights’ bid to claim their first premiership since 2001, complementing an already impressive roster featuring Bradman Best, Dane Gagai, Phoenix Crossland, and Tyson Frizell.

The coming months will determine whether Dylan Brown remains an Eel or becomes the centerpiece of a new era elsewhere.