Canterbury moved Matt Burton from five-eighth to centre in 2026, swapping him with Stephen Crichton as the Bulldogs reshaped their halves.
Danny Weidler reported that the club now sees Burton as a centre, prompting premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan to suggest Penrith could pursue a reunion.
"He won't be paid to the degree that a half would (on his next contract)," Weidler said.
Burton, 26, is contracted through 2027, so he would need a Bulldogs release to join Penrith next season.
Flanagan raised the possibility on Triple M on Wednesday.
"Would he go back to Penrith and play with Nathan?"
"Obviously Jett is coming back but to come and dominate the NRL in year one is a bit of an ask."
"Could the Bulldogs tip in a little bit and he go back to Penrith?"
Weidler said he could not rule it out.
Penrith have tried Blaize Talagi, Jack Cole and Jack Cogger in the No.6 role since Jarome Luai's departure, while Nathan Cleary's brother Jett is due to arrive in 2027.
Ivan Cleary has acknowledged the club's difficulty finding a permanent halves partner for Nathan, and Jett, 21, may not be ready for a full first-grade season.
"They've tried to replace Luai but haven't been able to," Flanagan said. "But I reckon you could put Santa Claus with Nathan and he'd play well."
Burton played 32 games for Penrith from 2019 to 2021, including starting at centre in the 2021 grand final. He joined the Bulldogs in 2022 seeking a halves role, blocked at Penrith by Nathan Cleary and Luai.
Flanagan suggested Canterbury might consider removing Burton's $750,000 salary from its books if he is not playing five-eighth in 2027.