Daly Cherry-Evans rejects Manly’s revamped contract offer live on air

Daly Cherry-Evans has emphatically shut down a revamped contract offer after he left club powerbrokers scrambling on Monday.

Daly Cherry-Evans has emphatically rejected Manly’s revamped contract offer after the star dropped a bomb on the club on Monday.

The 36-year-old captain of the Sea Eagles announced he would not be signing an extension and would walk away at the end of the 2025 season.

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The bombshell decision reportedly caught club powerbrokers off guard with Cherry-Evans clearing the air behind the call to walk away from the club he joined back in 2011.

“Based on sort of all of the reports last week, I felt like it was starting to become sort of pretty regular news and not news that I really enjoy,” Cherry-Evans said on 100% Footy on Channel 9.

Cherry-Evans made the decision back in December.

“So I thought the best thing that I could do for the situation was to let everyone know where it’s at and where it’s been at for a while.

“So that was why I felt like it was best after yesterday’s game to come out and just openly say where it’s at and and as I said, no more footy at Manly beyond this year.

“So definitely plays on a lot of emotions. Certainly hasn’t been a decision that’s made overnight, but I definitely feel a lot better for letting everyone know about.

“It’s obviously not an easy decision.

“I’ve spent a long time there and lot of lifelong friends, but the main reason for doing it is I felt like that as my career comes to an end, I wanted to take my time, whether that’s retiring or playing on and by cutting ties with Manly this year then I felt like that was the best chance for me to have freedom throughout the year to take my time to choose, and then from there, they were able to move on and and find the next halfback for Manly.

“I understand this decision won’t please everybody, but I am content with the call I have made.

“The people that are close to me and myself are happy with the decision I have made.”

Cherry-Evans was said to be chasing a new two-year deal at Manly with the club only offering up a one-season extension.

In a stunning twist to the tale however the Sea Eagles countered their original offer with club bosses calling into NRL 360 to share news of a brand new two-year offer.

But after being informed live on air of the club’s revamped offer, with a reported $1.5m deal over two seasons being put on the table, Cherry-Evans was emphatic with his response.

“Look respectfully ... no,” he said.

“As I said I’ve been sleeping on this decision since December, so talking to my family we’re okay with the decision ... we’re at peace with it and we understand that it’s not going to make everyone happy and there’s going to be a lot of Manly fans that are really upset with this.

“I understand that but as a family and a friendship group, we’ve been aware of it for a while now and now it’s public it’ll be big news and I get that but we’re content with the decision.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Sea Eagles looks to pass during the round three NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters at 4 Pines Park, on March 23, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Cherry-Evans’ rejection came after club powerbrokers contacted Fox League to get the news out of their new offer to try and keep the star in Manly.

“Breaking news (Sea Eagles CEO Tony) Mestrov and (Sea Eagles owner Scott) Penn have just contacted Fox League and said they are going to counter this with a new offer, so they don’t believe this is over,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.

“They are going to counter this with a two-year offer to DCE, so this is far from over by the sounds of it.”

“I Just spoke to the owner and chairman Scott Penn, who was surprised with the reports and said, they have not been officially told what has been reported elsewhere that Cherry-Evans is leaving,” Phil Rothfield said.

“He said Manly were always under the impression that it was a one-year offer to him, but there was no hurry and we will chat when you are comfortable.

“He confirmed that they will now offer him two years and do everything possible to keep him at Manly.”

Brent Read spoke to Manly CEO Tony Mestrov who said the club had been caught off guard by Cherry-Evans’ call.

“It is getting a bit ugly,” Read said.

“I spoke to Tony Mestrov and he said similar to what Scott Penn said. I think they have been caught off-guard by it.

“I don’t think they are convinced that Daly is going to go around again.”

It’s an ugly situation. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Rothfield said the situation has reached messy heights and said all parties must try and put the issue in the rearview mirror and focus on the season at hand.

“This gets so unsettling for footy clubs and anxiety for fans and it has happened before,” Rothfield said.

“I know he is entitled to be talking to other clubs because he is off-contract, but maybe Manly didn’t go as hard as they should and show him the respect. I don’t know I haven’t been in the negotiations, but it has got messy now.

“They have got to move on and try and win this premiership without wondering where this club legend is going to be next year.”

Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans rejects Manly’s revamped contract offer live on air