The Sydney Roosters are on the brink of offering one of the most substantial contracts in the club's history to star halfback Sam Walker.
With Walker's contract expiring at the end of the 2027 season, he will be able to negotiate with other clubs starting November 1, unless the Roosters secure a deal first.
It appears that the Roosters are eager to keep him, as News Corp reports he is poised to receive an annual offer of $1.3 million, surpassing captain James Tedesco's $1.1 million, thus making him the highest-paid player at the club.
The upcoming TV rights agreement is expected to boost the NRL's salary cap, paving the way for Walker to potentially sign a "lifetime" contract that would ensure he remains with the Roosters throughout his career.
The salary cap, currently set at $12 million, could rise to $15.5 million by 2028, coinciding with the start of Walker's new deal.
This increase means that premier NRL players will be the main beneficiaries of the new TV rights deal and can anticipate significant pay increases.
Walker, who is currently earning around $1 million per season, has seen his stock rise following an impressive year as the Queensland Maroons' halfback, earning him the player of the match award in Game 2 this year.
The PNG Chiefs are surely keeping an eye on his situation with the Roosters, especially since he will be off-contract when they begin their NRL journey in 2028.
However, due to NRL regulations, the expansion team cannot engage with contracted players, so they'll need to wait to see if Walker holds out until November to initiate talks.