LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has dampened the hopes of the incoming NRL team, the Bears, regarding his potential recruitment as a franchise player for 2027.
Hughes has expressed his intention to remain in Melbourne "forever." Reports indicate that he is the Bears' top target, with plans for them to become the NRL's 18th team in two years.
Although he is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, and the Bears could potentially offer him an enticing deal of $1.5 million per year, Hughes prefers staying with the established roster at the Storm.
Jokingly, he mentioned that he should speak with Storm's CEO, Justin Rodski, about securing a new contract to continue his career in Melbourne.
"I haven't looked too far ahead with that sort of stuff," Hughes stated, acknowledging that his name has surfaced in discussions mainly due to his contract situation coinciding with approaching free agency on November 1.