LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Wests Tigers utility Jack Bird is reportedly set to stay with the club through 2026.
There has been speculation regarding Bird's potential exit from the joint-venture club, as he was given permission to look into options for next year as early as mid-year.
Towards the end of the season, rumors surfaced suggesting a player swap involving Bird and Manly Sea Eagles forward Nathan Brown. However, recent reports from News Corp indicate that these discussions have been called off, confirming Bird's commitment to the Tigers for another year.
At 30 years old, Bird is a former State of Origin player but has faced challenges with consistency in recent seasons. He managed to play only 28 games in his last two years with the Dragons before transferring to the Tigers, where he appeared in 17 matches during his first season.
Throughout those 17 games, most of his appearances were from the bench, and he lost his position in the lineup during the concluding weeks of the season. Despite these challenges, Bird is determined to reclaim his spot in Benji Marshall's squad for 2026, while also considering his long-term future with the club or elsewhere.