The Rabbitohs are in a tricky situation as they celebrate the signing of Payne Haas, with a massive story brewing at the end of the 2027 season. While the club is excited about the star-studded forward pack, they have a major headache looming with 22 players coming off contract, the most in the NRL. This could be just the start of a challenging period for the team, as they navigate the future of their roster. With high-profile players like Latrell Mitchell, Jai Arrow, and Campbell Graham all off contract after 2027, the club faces a difficult decision: cut players or risk financial strain. One of the players off-contract is halfback Jamie Humphreys, who has been approached by the Rabbitohs over potential extension talks. However, with the majority of the Rabbitohs squad off contract and Humphreys' future in question, the halves combination for 2028 and beyond is in doubt. The club is taking a calculated gamble that the cap is going to go up significantly, allowing them to retain some of the players. While the signing of Haas is a coup, the Rabbitohs need to secure a solid halves pairing to create a team that works alongside the new signings and a dominant forward pack led by Haas and David Fifita. The future of the team is uncertain, but with a new broadcast deal on the horizon, the Rabbitohs are hoping for a bright future. Will they be able to navigate this challenging period and come out on top? Only time will tell.
