The Roosters appear set to back Toby Rodwell alongside Hugo Savala in the halves after Sam Walker's departure.
Walker will be among the leading free agents when the NRL trade period opens Sunday.
Coach Trent Robinson says Walker will stay next season but will not play for the club beyond 2027.
Robinson told Channel Seven during World Cup commentary Friday night: "Sam's moved on and we've moved on, so there's no way to get a deal done after this."
The Roosters withdrew an offer reportedly worth $1.1 million a season through at least 2030; Walker was understood to be seeking another $200,000 a season.
Chairman Nick Politis would not increase the offer, Robinson said: "He didn't want to sign. We wanted to sign him for an amount and we couldn't get it done."
Robinson said negotiations began midyear, but Walker delayed his decision until after the season, as November 1 approached and other roster decisions awaited the club's biggest contract.
North Queensland's Tom Dearden, Walker's Queensland and Kangaroos teammate, ruled out a swap, saying there was "zero chance" of one.