With the NRL season over and the premiership trophy remaining in the hands of the Penrith Panthers, it's already time for fans to get excited about next season.
Gone are the heartbreaks of 2024, replaced by the optimism of the upcoming campaign, and the hype over their team's latest signings.
But when do these new contracts actually begin?
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When do new NRL contracts start?
NRL contracts begin on November 1 of each given year, giving new signings a four-month ramp up with their team before their debut season with each squad.
When can NRL players negotiate new contracts?
Players are free to negotiate with rival teams if they are in the final year of their deal, once they pass the October 30 deadline.
This means that come November 1, any player coming off contract at the end of 2025 will be able to negotiate a new deal for 2026 onwards.
What is the NRL backflip rule?
Introduced in 2023, the backflip rule allows NRL teams a period of 10 days to convince departing players to 'backflip' and instead stay with their current side,
The rule allows players to change their mind, and was brought in to allow teams the opportunity to retain key players.
"Every player must provide his incumbent club with a last right of negotiation for a 10-day period from the date of notice that the player has received an offer from a rival club, and that offer has been submitted to the NRL, that he is prepared to accept," said the NRL.
"The new process does not involve a ‘cooling-off period'.
"The new negotiation window is for a period of 10 days after a player receives an offer they would be willing to accept from a new club.
"They then have to give their current club a 10-day window to negotiate before they accept the other offer.
"Once the 10-day period ends, the player is free to sign with either club. Players have no obligation to accept an offer from their incumbent club even if it matches the offer from the new club."
The rule was utilised in a major way during the 2024 season, when Titans star David Fifita initially committed to a contract with the Sydney Rooster, before changing his mind and opting to remain on the Gold Coast.
