By Adrian Proszenko
Mitchell Moses has become the highest-paid player in the game after signing a new five-year contract with Parramatta.
The new contract, which also upgrades his current deal, will result in Mitchell earning $1.3 million per season until the end of 2029. Having only just been handed the captaincy, the development is a huge boost for rookie coach Jason Ryles and could be a potential incentive for halves partner Dylan Brown to stay put.
Moses was already on a deal worth $1.2 million per annum until the end of 2028, but an option in his favour meant that he could exit at the end of season 2026, if he chose to do so before October 31.
Speaking to this masthead at the Fremont St Fan Day in Las Vegas just as the deal was announced, Parramatta chief executive Jim Sarantinos said there were no clauses or options in the new deal.
“No, and it’s really important,” Sarantinos said. “We’ve made some key changes to the club and one of those key changes is Mitch being captain.
“This is him showing faith in the direction the club is going and we couldn’t be happier.”
Ryles has only just installed Moses as the club’s new skipper following the departure of Clint Gutherson to the Dragons, but Sarantinos said the captaincy wasn’t used as a bargaining chip.
“That was the right choice for the club,” he said.
“Mitch was invested regardless. These things don’t happen overnight and [he] was only made captain a couple of weeks ago. We were already truly down the path of him being invested long term irrespective of the captaincy.”
The negotiations to keep Moses at the club have been going on while Brown, who has clauses in his contract that could result in him departing at the end of the season, faces an uncertain future. Brown has until round 10 to make a call, with Newcastle reportedly making a play worth up to $13 million over 10 years.
Sarantinos, who would not be drawn on the financial particulars of Moses’ deal, said his re-signing was a show of faith in Ryles.
Mitchell Moses will be with the Eels until 2029.Credit: NRL Photos
“I’m sure he wouldn’t have recommitted for this time without having confidence in the coach,” he said.
“It’s great for everyone. This has been going on for a while, and it’s great to have Mitch as part of the club long-term.
“We’ve always wanted Mitch to be here long term, and he’s always wanted to be here long term. It’s great to be able to get it done discreetly, get it locked away, and we can move forward.”
The focus for Parramatta now turns to Brown’s next move. Even if the Kiwi international recommits now, the circus surrounding his next career move could repeat itself just as new cashed-up franchises enter the competition.
Brown’s management had sought an upgrade to their client’s contract in return for removing the first of the two get-out options in his deal. However, the Eels have declined to do so, believing the current offer is a reasonable reflection of his market value.
Brown is on a deal worth $975,000 for this year, rising to $1.1 million a season thereafter should he remain an Eel. The Knights are prepared to blow the Eels out of the water with an offer that runs for up to a decade, a huge investment for a player who didn’t make this masthead’s list of the top 50 players in the game.
The Eels are hoping the certainty about Moses’ future will convince Brown to stay put and remain his halves partner. However, if finances are his main motivator, he could be on the move.
In a recent fan forum for members, new chairman Matthew Beach - in his first public address since succeeding Sean McElduff - said player options would no longer be offered in negotiations.
“This is a really important topic. There are three additional points I’d like to make more broadly in relation to player options,” Beach said.
“The first point is we haven’t entered into a player contract that has an option for about two years; May 2023 was the last time we entered into a contract with a player option.
“Point two, since that time we’ve signed or retained 22 to 24 players since [then] without issuing player options.
“Thirdly, we will not be issuing player options going forward.”
For now, the Eels are rejoicing that their skipper is staying put.
“Mitch has been in consistently good form for many years now but none better than 2024,” said Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill.
“The way he performed in Origin last year was outstanding and proved that he belongs in that arena.
“Being recently appointed captain continues the evolution of his development and is a very proud moment for him, his family and our club. Having a player of Mitch’s calibre commit the rest of his career to the Eels is fantastic news for his teammates, our partners, members and the entire Eels community.”
The Herald’s travel expenses to Las Vegas have been partly funded by the NRL.