EELS STAR PAULO THREATENS EARLY DEPARTURE UNLESS SALARY DOUBLES
Parramatta Eels front-row powerhouse Junior Paulo has sent shockwaves through the club by threatening to walk away before his contract expires, insisting his salary must double if he is to stay beyond 2026 – casting doubt over the future of the junior icon who has spent his entire NRL career in blue and gold.
The respected prop, whose current deal runs through the 2026 season with preliminary talks underway for an extension to 2027, has made his demands clear as negotiations over a new contract hit a critical impasse.
“I’ve given my all to this club since I started here as a junior, and I believe my value now reflects that,” Paulo said in a rare public comment on the negotiations. “If we can’t reach an agreement that doubles my current salary, I will have no choice but to explore my options elsewhere before my contract is up.”
The threat comes as a major concern for the Eels, who have relied on Paulo as a key leader and on-field force for more than a decade. The hard-running prop has carved out an impressive legacy at the club, including leading the NRL in offloads in 2020, earning multiple NSW State of Origin selections, and hitting significant milestones with 200 and 250 first-grade games.
In 2022, he was awarded both the Nathan Hindmarsh Award and Ken Thornett Medal – the club’s highest honours – in recognition of his outstanding form and contribution to the team. Renowned for his powerful carries and deft skill with the ball, Paulo has developed into one of the NRL’s most dominant front-rowers and a beloved figure among Eels fans.
His status as a junior product who rose through the club’s ranks has made the situation even more sensitive, with supporters expressing hope that a resolution can be found to keep him in Parramatta long-term.
A club spokesperson confirmed negotiations were ongoing but declined to comment on specific salary figures. “Junior is an integral part of our team and a valued member of our club community,” the spokesperson said. “We are committed to working with him to reach a fair agreement that reflects his contribution, while also ensuring the club’s long-term salary cap sustainability.”
With other NRL clubs likely to monitor the situation closely, the Eels face a race against time to secure their star prop’s future – or risk losing one of their greatest modern-day players to a rival outfit.
