The Roosters were called out for their recruitment earlier this year and with the club in danger of missing finals footy.
The Roosters have reportedly moved to lock down captain James Tedesco for another year as the Perth Bears enter the competition seeking a fullback, while his deal ends at the same time as Kalyn Ponga’s at the Knights. Tedesco has been in sensational form in 2025 with plenty of fans believing he should have been the NSW fullback under Blues coach Laurie Daley.
Tedesco has not shown any signs of slowing down at 32 years old and the Roosters extended his deal in 2024 till the end of 2026. Since this deal, the Perth Bears have been announced as the next club entering the competition with coach Mal Meninga building a roster for their inclusion in 2027.
And Tedesco is currently off contract for their inaugural year in the NRL with the possibility of the champion fullback making a big money move to Perth. The Bears have missed out on signing Jahrome Hughes, but are reportedly keen on Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen as a marquee signing.
But Tedesco would also be on their radar with his deal ending as they enter the competition. Tedesco is one of the biggest names in the NRL and signing the former NSW and Australia captain would be a huge statement from the new club.
Tedesco would also be able to negotiate with rival clubs come 1 November on his current contract. Although the Wide World of Sports has reported the Roosters are keen to make sure their captain isn’t on the move just yet as they negotiate a one-year extension.
This would keep the 32-year-old at the Roosters until the end of 2027. Tedesco joined the Roosters from the Wests Tigers in 2018 and is closing in on 200 NRL games for the club. James and his wife Maria may also be reluctant to relocate their young family to Perth. And while the Bears may have another player ruled out of contention to join them for their first season, Tedesco’s short-term contract won’t deter speculation around Ponga joining the club in 2028.
Roosters seek to steady recruitment drama
The Roosters seeking to lock down Tedesco comes after the side copped plenty of backlash over how they handled their recruitment across the last 12 months. The Roosters let Terrell May leave to the Tigers, while they missed out on signing Ben Hunt. Joseph Suaalii, Joey Manu, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves all left in the off-season, which prompted question marks around their recruitment.
While they are heavily linked to Daly Cherry-Evans for next season, it appears the Roosters are making sure they don’t see any superstars walk out the door again, until replacements arrive. And Tedesco’s potential signing gives them two years to seek a replacement fullback, or sign the captain on for another one-year deal.
Kalyn Ponga linked to Roosters move
Meanwhile, Tedesco’s reported one-year extension won’t end speculation the Roosters are keen on bringing Knights fullback Ponga to Sydney. Ponga recently committed to the club amid speculation he was keen for a release to join a rugby union team.
The Knights captain said he will see out his contract, which runs out at the end of 2027. And while the Perth Bears will also come knocking for Ponga, the Roosters could also see him as a long-term solution at fullback.
Tedesco will be 35 years old by the time the 2028 NRL season rolls around. The fullback could see his next deal as his last in the competition with the star copping a number of injuries and head knocks across his glittering career. The Roosters will no doubt be on the search for a long-term replacement in the No.1 jersey during their quest for another NRL premiership.
