As of right now, seven of the Rhinos’ top-20 players are in the last year of their contracts, and a whopping twelve will have their contracts expire in the fall of 2026.
Only one player, new addition Maika Sivo, is committed to Leeds past the end of the upcoming campaign.
Ryan Hall, who has a 2026 option, is one of four off-season newcomers that the Rhinos signed to two-year contracts. The exception was Sivo, whose contract expires in 2027.
Some players are nearing the conclusion of long contracts, like Mikolaj Oledzki, whose current terms were agreed with back in 2021, but Rhinos currently appear to be moving toward a shorter-term agreement philosophy.
That’s risky to an extent, as it obviously means top players become available sooner and more often to rival clubs.
Under a change to the RFL’s laws, players in the final year of their contract are now free to talk to other clubs from December 1 of the previous year.
That’s five months earlier than the old deadline. Clearly, it will mean signings for next year – and also new deals – being announced by clubs much earlier than in the past.
On the other hand, there is a risk of players whose future is secure potentially getting comfortable and having less incentive than those competing for new terms or a move elsewhere.
It’s a balance sporting director Ian Blease will need to strike as he negotiates with those out of contract in 2025 or 2026, all of which will be high on his to-do list.
Leeds will be keen to tie down their top stars – including two-time player of the year Oledzki, who will attract interest from Super League rivals – but also anxious to keep the squad on their toes.
The Rhinos have demonstrated that they are prepared to release players before the conclusion of their contract without charging them.
Despite having contracts through 2025, Paul Momirovski, Justin Sangare, Mickael Goudemand, Kieran Hudson, and Leon Ruan all left at the end of the previous season.
The departure of those players freed up money on the Rhinos’ salary limit and, in Momirovski’s case, a slot on the abroad quota, which Sivo was able to use.
While more players have moved on than joined Rhinos over the past couple of seasons, salary cap pressure remains because of enhanced terms offered to squad members who have risen in the ranks to become first team regulars. And the policy of short-term deals doesn’t apply to up and coming players emerging through Rhinos’ youth system.
Leeds’ stated strategy is to assemble future squads from a combination of in-house talent and a few more seasoned additions.
Ten teenagers who have not yet made their first team appearance were among the fifteen young prospects whose new contracts the Rhinos revealed in June of last year.
The majority of them have contracts with the team through the fall of 2027, while Presley Cassell, the current academy player of the year, has a 12-month extension after that.
