November 1, 2026, looms as Ivan Cleary enters his final season as Penrith coach.
Twelve Panthers are off contract at the end of 2027: Paul Alamoti, Zakauri Clarke, Jack Cogger, Jaxen Edgar, Dylan Edwards, Luke Garner, Thomas Jenkins, Mitch Kenny, Casey McLean, Billy Phillips, Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago.
Other names in the club's contract picture include Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo.
The salary cap is tight as Penrith tries to retain Cleary, Martin and Yeo; McLean's recent deal was a win.
After appearing the best side for much of 2026, Penrith lost to Newcastle in their seventh straight preliminary final.
They fell one game short in 2025 too; the first five of those seven preliminary finals were wins.
Cleary's injury remains a what-if, though Penrith were not good enough at Homebush.
Many 2028 roster places remain vacant, leaving substantial recruitment work.