Josh Addo-Carr’s future is up in the air after Parramatta told the premiership-winning winger it won’t extend his contract beyond 2027 and agreed he can explore an immediate move to a rival NRL club.
The Eels confirmed the decision in a statement on Thursday, after Addo-Carr met club officials, including coach Jason Ryles, on Wednesday to discuss his future, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
“The club has informed Josh and his management that it will not be seeking to extend his current contract beyond the end of the 2027 season,” the Eels said in the statement.
“Josh and the club have mutually agreed that it is in his best interests to immediately explore opportunities elsewhere to give Josh the best opportunity to secure his future. The club will continue to support Josh as he considers his next opportunity.”
According to the Herald’s Adrian Proszenko, Addo-Carr’s agent asked for permission to look at other options once his camp was told there would be no new deal. The parties agreed Parramatta would not stand in his way if he could secure a long-term contract with a rival, while the 31-year-old still has the option of seeing out the final year of his deal in 2027.
The decision comes soon after Addo-Carr was cleared to play on. He returned a positive reading at a random police roadside drug test in September, but a second sample later came back negative and NSW Police dropped the case. Nine reported the Eels’ statement said the club had cleared him of any wrongdoing and considered the matter closed.
Read more: Josh Addo-Carr Eels Return Cleared as NRL Closes Investigation
A costly few months
The Herald reported the episode cost Addo-Carr a chance to be considered for Kangaroos World Cup selection.
Addo-Carr joined Parramatta after his Bulldogs contract was torn up at the end of 2024, and has scored 27 tries in 45 appearances for the Eels, according to Nine. The former Storm, Blues and Kangaroos flyer has 167 tries from 224 NRL games.
Eels plan for life after Addo-Carr
Parramatta are already planning ahead. The Herald reported the club is close to securing Knights winger James Schiller for 2027, with Jack Bostock and Bradman Best targets for 2028.
Read more: Spencer Leniu Charged Over Referee Dissent, Facing Eels Ban
Nine reported the Eels could be hamstrung by the salary cap if no new home is found for Addo-Carr during the off-season. If he stays, he could add to his tally when Parramatta open the 2027 season against the Titans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
It remains to be seen what appetite there is for Addo-Carr on the open market, the Herald noted.
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