Liam Martin's contract negotiations with Penrith have been put on hold until after the Panthers' finals campaign, with the star second-rower's management confident a deal can be reached.
Martin's representatives met Penrith bosses on Tuesday, with the NSW State of Origin regular off contract next year and set to be a free agent from November 1.
The 29-year-old's future is among several challenges for the Panthers, who also have Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary off contract next year.
Martin's management had previously hoped to see an offer from the Panthers on Tuesday before deciding whether to take the forward to market in November.
But the call has now been made to put talks on hold, in a bid to avoid any focus being taken away from the finals.
"I met today with GM of football Shane Elford and CEO Matt Cameron," Martin's manager Allan Gainey said.
"Talks were productive.
"Both parties are mindful of the timing and potential distractions around upcoming finals.
"We are confident we can get to a mutually beneficial position once Panthers have finished their commitments for 2026."
Penrith have traditionally preferred all contract negotiations be complete early in the season, but were willing to stray from that slightly given the experience of senior players.
In reality, what the club are able to offer Martin could well come down to what Yeo and Cleary decide to do with their future, as three of the club's biggest name and highest paid stars.
Yeo is edging closer to a new deal with the Panthers, who are also hopeful they can keep Cleary at the foot of the mountains.
Moses Leota is also off contract at the end of 2027, but is expected to stay.
In the past month alone Brian To'o has confirmed he will move to PNG in 2028, while Paul Alamoti, Casey McLean and Isaiah Papali'i have recently extended.
But that group does not yet command the same money as players such as Yeo, Cleary or Martin, with Martin expected to attract close to $1 million on the open market.
"Ideally it's probably pretty close to shutting up shop for the year," Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said on Monday.
"You'd rather not (have it happening now).
"It's the transfer market that we have in our game. I think it's set up for media and commentary, which is fine, if that's what we want as a game.
"We just have to live with it and deal with it the best we can within those parameters."
Cleary hadn't yet felt the need to make a call on putting contract negotiations on hold but said, "It's getting that way".
"But obviously with November 1, if you want to get something done before then, it's a challenge," he said.
Martin's contract situation comes with several marquee second-rowers so far available in 2028, with Hudson Young, Jacob Preston, Jeremiah Nanai and Samuela Fainu also off contract.
