Penrith Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny is reportedly poised to reject a move at the conclusion of 2027 to secure a long-term deal with the club.
As the squad at the foot of the mountains navigates a significant salary cap challenge, Kenny is among several players whose contracts expire at the end of next year.
This year, it was reported that Kenny had shown interest in a potential switch to the PNG Chiefs when they debut in the 2028 season.
A reliable performer for the Panthers, Kenny's consistency has made him a strong candidate for future captaincy within the team.
The PNG Chiefs would likely have the means to extend an offer to Kenny, especially given the dearth of top-tier dummy halves in the league-a serious concern for the Perth Bears as they prepare for their own entry in the 2027 campaign.
According to News Corp, however, Kenny intends to re-sign with the Panthers, making him the first among several off-contract players to secure his future.
If the contract extension goes through, he will avoid the November 1 free agency deadline alongside many of his teammates, all of whom will be able to start negotiating new contracts on that date.
Notably, Moses Leota is also off-contract and has permission to explore options with other teams as he seeks to determine his market value.
In addition to Leota and Kenny, players like Paul Alamoti, Nathan Cleary, Sione Fonua, Liam Martin, Isaiah Papali'i, Luron Patea, Billy Scott, Blaize Talagi, Brian To'o, and Isaah Yeo are also facing contract renewals.