Daly Cherry-Evans has been in talks with Sydney Roosters and Dolphins for 2026

After two months of speculation, Manly and Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has set the record straight on his future, revealing the two teams he is in talks with.

Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has confirmed he is playing on next season and revealed he is in negotiations with two NRL clubs — including the Sydney Roosters.

After two months of speculation, Cherry-Evans has set the record straight on his future, declaring he will not retire and has kicked-off talks with the Roosters and Dolphins for 2026 and beyond.

But the Manly champion hit out at suggestions his contract saga could detail Queensland’s campaign as he prepares to skipper the Maroons in Origin I on Wednesday week at Suncorp Stadium.

It’s viewed as the worst-kept secret in rugby league – Cherry-Evans is a done deal at the Roosters.

The 36-year-old stressed he has not formally signed with anyone at this stage, but for the first time, he has addressed speculation of his links to the Bondi glamour club.

“Yes, the Roosters are someone I have spoken to,” said Cherry-Evans, who will leave Manly at season’s end.

The Maroons jersey is the only one Daly Cherry-Evans is committed to wearing beyond his Manly jumper. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“But, no, nothing has been done yet.

“I haven’t signed with anyone and that’s the part … I’ve kept that really tight.

“That’s one part that is easy to connect the dots because I haven’t spoken to many clubs. I made it clear at the start I wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time with this process.

“The Dolphins is one of the sides I have spoken to but again nothing has happened.”

Asked why the Roosters appeals to him as a final destination in his glittering career, Cherry-Evans said: “Even though I have told you who I have been talking to, I don’t think it’s fair to talk about the other clubs right now while I am at Manly.

“I have been trying to be really respectful of them during the whole process.

“I don’t think it’s fair for me to talk too much about why I would want to go somewhere else when my job right now is to play well for Queensland and Manly and try and win a premiership this year.”

While Cherry-Evans is in dialogue with the Roosters and Dolphins, this masthead understands the Redcliffe organisation are at long odds to snare the Maroons captain.

When he dropped his Brookvale bombshell in March, Cherry-Evans was no certainty to play on next season, indicating retirement was a genuine consideration.

But after being picked for his 26th Origin game, ‘DCE’ has decided to soldier on for at least another 12 months.

“The first part was making sure that I would be good to go again (for Queensland) and after the first 11 weeks of the season, the motivation is as high as ever to play Origin,” he said.

“The motivation is definitely there to play on next year.

“When the time is right, I will sign on with the club and make an announcement, but that’s highly unlikely to happen any time soon and certainly not during Origin.

“Now that we are here now, I don’t think I will be putting anyone in a position, both Manly and another club and this (Queensland) team, under any unnecessary pressure.

Daly Cherry Evans has made it clear he doesn’t want Manly’s season to be impacted by his impending departure. Photo: Tom Parrish

“I was making sure I was playing on for all the right reasons to be completely honest with you.

“You don’t want to be playing for the wrong reasons, you want to make sure your motivations are in the right spot and coming into this Origin period, I definitely have a lot of belief in the side and myself being here.

“I can honestly say it (playing in 2026) is something I am not losing much sleep over.

“I know based on conversations I have that next year will be fine when I do decide to sit down and sign with someone.”

One of those conversations involved Billy Slater. A recent meeting with the Queensland coach, where the duo candidly discussed his Origin selection prospects over breakfast, bolstered Cherry-Evans’ self-belief.

Maroons coach Billy Slater has provided support for Cherry-Evans. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“The purpose was Billy just being a good person and seeing how I was, which shocks nobody,” he said.

“He genuinely just wanted to see how I was travelling, how I was going in handling everything that had come out in the weeks before it (with his Manly contract call).

“He actually came to the breakfast with no expectation on what I needed to do or what I needed to say.

“He just wanted to reassure me that if I was playing the footy that deserves a spot (for Queensland), then I will have that spot … and if it was any different, he would always let me know.

“He has been a really honest person to me around my footy.

“I feel very confident being here that I have played well enough to earn my spot.”

In a remarkable show of longevity, the Queensland halfback is gearing up for his 11th Origin campaign since his debut in 2015.

His former Origin teammate Cooper Cronk said a fortnight ago Cherry-Evans should go public with his decision to avoid derailing Queensland’s campaign, but the skipper says he would never disrupt the Maroons.

“People might say your decision holding off is putting pressure on – but I don’t believe it is,” he said.

“We don’t have anyone in this team that is a Manly player which is really good, so there’s nothing for them to worry about.

“That’s why I don’t believe it will be an external pressure (on the Queensland team) and I don’t think it’s going to be a decision I will make during the Origin series.

“I’m the only person that has to worry about or deal with it and that’s why I’ve afforded myself the time to take my time.

“I have been as open and honest as possible during the whole process.

“I said that this is something that I want to take my time with. That’s why I gave Manly the heads up really early, six or eight months ago, so they have been able to move on and get their guy.

“At this level, I don’t believe it will be a distraction.”

Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans has been in talks with Sydney Roosters and Dolphins for 2026