Could Blaize Talagi become the latest player squeezed out of Penrith? The talented playmaker’s future is under growing scrutiny as the Panthers prepare to make several crucial retention decisions before the November 1 free-agency deadline.
Talagi remains contracted through the 2027 season and has not been released, but his recent demotion and Penrith’s determination to retain Nathan Cleary could leave the club unable to compete with offers from rival teams.
Talagi Faces Uncertain Future At Penrith
Penrith signed Talagi to a three-year contract through the end of 2027 after he rejected Parramatta and departed the Eels following his rookie season.
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The 21-year-old established himself as the Panthers’ first-choice five-eighth during 2025, making 22 appearances after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
His position has become less secure in 2026.
Ivan Cleary recently dropped Talagi from the first-grade team and selected Jack Cogger alongside Nathan Cleary in the halves. The decision followed renewed concerns about Penrith’s left-edge defence and Talagi’s missed-tackle numbers.
“This is a huge decision because he’s been so good for the past couple of years, but defensively I think only Ezra Mam as a five-eighth has missed more tackles than Blaize Talagi this season,” journalist Brent Read said on NRL 360.
“It’s been a real Achilles heel for them at times this season.”
Talagi has not been told he is free to leave, and his omission does not confirm Penrith intends to move him. It has, however, intensified questions about where he sits among the club’s retention priorities.
Nathan Cleary Decision Could Shape Talagi’s Future
Talagi and Nathan Cleary are both contracted until the end of 2027, making them eligible to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, 2026.
Penrith wants to extend Cleary but must also manage negotiations involving Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o, Moses Leota and several other established players.
That creates a difficult choice.
Retaining Cleary on another major contract would reduce the amount available to offer Talagi, particularly if the Panthers also want to keep other members of their premiership-winning core.
“Cogger is under contract until 2028, which is another factor in this,” Read said.
“For me, they’ve got other priorities, including Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and others.
“I think if Talagi gets to November 1, I think they’ll struggle to compete with rival clubs.”
Cogger is expected to command less money than Talagi and has already demonstrated that he can operate effectively alongside Cleary. He was part of Penrith’s premiership-winning squad in 2023 before returning to the club.
Talagi offers greater running threat and long-term potential, but Penrith must determine whether that upside justifies the additional salary-cap investment.
Panthers Risk Losing Both Playmakers
Allowing Talagi to enter the market would carry substantial risk while Nathan Cleary’s future remains unresolved.
Cleary is expected by many within the game to remain at Penrith, but he has not signed an extension and has publicly indicated that he is open to exploring his options.
Read previously reported that people around Cleary expect him to test his market value after November 1—not necessarily because he intends to leave, but to understand what opportunities are available.
The PNG Chiefs would be positioned to make an enormous offer ahead of their inaugural 2028 season. Overseas opportunities have also been discussed, although no confirmed agreement exists with another club.
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta warned that Penrith could create a major halves problem if it moved on from Talagi before securing Cleary.
“The other point is that if Nathan doesn’t stay and they let go of Talagi, they’re in some trouble,” Anasta said.
“It could give us an indication where they’re at with Nathan by what they do with Blaize.”
“That would be a disaster,” Michael Carayannis responded.
Parramatta Could Target Talagi Reunion
Parramatta has already been identified as a logical destination if Talagi reaches the open market.
The Eels developed Talagi through their junior system before handing him his NRL debut in 2024. He scored 11 tries in 19 appearances during his first-grade rookie campaign before joining Penrith.
Parramatta attempted to retain him at the time, but Talagi exercised an option to leave and accepted the opportunity to replace Jarome Luai at the Panthers.
“There would be teams keen, I would imagine,” Read said.
“I think of Parramatta. He’s a former Eels junior and player. If you’re the Eels, I’d have a red-hot lash.”
No evidence currently indicates that Parramatta has lodged a new offer or formally approached Penrith about Talagi.
Any potential return therefore remains speculation.
Panthers Reportedly Want Answers Before Finals
Penrith is expected to seek greater clarity on its priority extensions before the finals begin.
“We’ll get an indication in the next two or three weeks,” Carayannis said.
“Then they’ll lock it down and get all the contracts done they know they can get sorted, and it won’t drag on into the finals.”
Talagi remains a contracted Panthers player, and the club can continue negotiating with him beyond November 1. Once that date arrives, however, every rival will be entitled to make an offer for the 2028 season.
The Panthers have repeatedly rebuilt after losing established players to salary-cap pressure. The next decision may determine whether Talagi becomes another departure—or remains the long-term partner for Cleary that Penrith originally recruited him to be.
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