Rumoured unrest at Newcastle has bubbled away in the background during the second part of the season with a number of players reportedly being told they can look elsewhere.
Daniel Saifiti was the first big-name Knights star to be linked away from the club, before Jayden Brailey was put up on the chopping block as they attempt to manage their salary cap.
The hooker still has one year remaining on his deal that he signed back in 2021 and has enjoyed his first injury-free campaign since making the switch from Cronulla.
Jayden Brailey linked to rival as salary cap pressure ramps up on Knights
"There are whispers that if Parramatta can get their ducks in a row and move their players on that…Jayden Brailey could be a target for them," journalist Michael Chammas told Triple M.
"Brailey has been told that he can look around."
The 28-year-old has been an ever-present in Adam O’Brien’s side this season, however he has been locked in a running battle with Phoenix Crossland for most of the year for the No.9 jersey.
He started the campaign being utilised off the bench, before establishing himself as the main hooker from Round 5 onwards.
Although the Knights endured a tricky spell in the middle of the season which forced the coach into making changes to his spine, while Kalyn Ponga was on the sidelines.
One of these alterations resulted in Brailey being dropped back to the bench for a run of five out of six games.
Yet the former captain was eventually re-installed as the first-choice dummy-half in Round 22 after Crossland was moved into the halves.
Jayden Brailey comments on Knights future
The Eels are set for some major changes across their roster following the impending arrival of Jason Ryles.
Brendan Hands has been the club’s main dummy-half in the second part of the year, but the new head coach may have his eyes on Brailey in the coming months.
However, the veteran refused to be drawn into this prospect with two games still remaining in the regular season as the Knights seek to break into the top-eight.
"There's no progression with any of that," Brailey stated about a potential exit from the club.
"The focus for me is trying to play my best footy because I've still got next year at the club.
"Whatever happens on the back of that will happen, but there's no progress on all that."
