Phil Rothfield stepped away from filming for five minutes after receiving a call from Roosters coach Trent Robinson, he later told a special Wednesday edition of NRL 360.
Rothfield said he hoped Robinson might salvage the contract talks: "I rang him because I thought if anyone can rescue this deal from an impossible situation, it's Trent Robinson," he said.
Robinson had not heard from Sam Walker since Monday, Rothfield reported, despite the halfback being 24 and having worked with the coach since he was 17.
"What really surprised me in the conversation I just had with Trent is he has not heard from Sam Walker since Monday," Rothfield said.
"I find that almost insulting," he added.
Walker had reportedly asked for a small increase to the lucrative offer from the defending premiers.
Nick Politis ordered the Roosters to withdraw the proposal after the request.
Rothfield said Politis was "just about in tears" when they spoke on Tuesday.
He also said Robinson had played a major part in Walker's development, adding: "That the young fella could not pick up the telephone to a four-time premier coach who's had him since he was 17."