Manly's preseason return marks Kieran Foran's first full season in charge amid a roster shake-up.
CODE Sports reports Manly have asked Wests Tigers about taking Jamal Fogarty, 12 months into his three-year contract.
Salary-cap pressure reportedly also puts Luke Brooks and Ethan Bullemor in line to leave.
Brooks and Fogarty reached near career-best form at times in 2026's "Fozball" era, making their possible departures risky as Manly changes direction.
Manly have alternatives: Joey Walsh played nine games, Onitoni Large made a late-season NRL debut, and Clayton Faulalo covered five-eighth.
Tigers have ruled Fogarty out while likely to give Latu Fainu a long-awaited starting-halves chance, but may consider Fogarty if Manly pays a hefty share of his remaining contract.
Manly may pursue a marquee signing after a decade of major deals for Jake and Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans.
Earlier reports linked the club with Harry Grant for 2028, while Sam Walker's NRL future remains uncertain.