Overview
- Walker and the Sydney Roosters agreed to halt long-term contract negotiations until after the 2026 season, a decision confirmed by coach Trent Robinson on Wednesday.
- Robinson criticised the public leak of negotiation details and indicated those disclosures appeared to have come from Walker’s management.
- Media reports say Walker rejected a reported five-year, $5 million-plus extension and that the Roosters have offered a staggered five-year package that could lift his pay toward about AUD 1.4 million if future salary caps rise.
- Expansion clubs, notably the proposed PNG team, remain a live threat because they can offer tax-advantaged and third-party deals that the Roosters cannot match under the cap.
- With Walker entering the final 12 months of his contract on November 1, the pause keeps focus on the title run but leaves a clear calendar of next steps for talks and potential rival approaches after the season.