Parramatta Eels have informed winger Josh Addo-Carr he will not be offered a new contract beyond 2027 and have agreed not to stand in his way if he secures a long-term deal with a rival immediately.
The 31-year-old met with Eels officials including coach Jason Ryles to discuss his future after a false-positive roadside cocaine test in September.
Addo-Carr was cleared to return next season after a second oral fluid sample came back negative. However, his management was told he would not be offered a new contract after 2027, prompting his agent to request permission to scout alternatives elsewhere.
In a statement, the Eels said: "The club has informed Josh and his management that it will not be seeking to extend his current contract beyond the end of the 2027 season. Josh and the club have mutually agreed that it is in his best interests to immediately explore opportunities elsewhere to give Josh the best opportunity to secure his future."
The false-positive test cost Addo-Carr a chance to be considered for Kangaroos World Cup selection, while almost $400,000 worth of personal sponsors have abandoned him. He has scored 167 tries from 224 NRL games. The Eels are planning for the future and are close to securing Knights winger James Schiller for 2027, while Jack Bostock and Bradman Best are targets for 2028.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Represents the likely end of a high-profile NRL career for the winger, who is now free to negotiate with rival clubs.
- Highlights the immense personal cost of a false-positive drug test, including lost sponsorship and representative selection, even after being cleared.
- Opens up Parramatta's recruitment plans, with the club targeting several outside players to fill the gap.
Background
Josh Addo-Carr is a premiership-winning winger formerly with Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs. He was previously sacked by Canterbury over a positive roadside drugs test. He has scored 167 tries in 224 NRL games.
What to Watch
- Whether any NRL club makes a move to secure Addo-Carr for an immediate start to the 2027 season.
- The progression of Parramatta's reported pursuit of James Schiller, Jack Bostock and Bradman Best.
- How the lack of long-term security affects Addo-Carr's performance or role in the Eels' 2027 campaign if he stays.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Eels will not extend Josh Addo-Carr’s contract beyond 2027.The Age - Latest News: ““The club has informed Josh and his management that it will not be seeking to extend his current contract beyond the end of the 2027 season,” the Eels said in a statement.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr can leave immediately if he secures a long-term deal with a rival.The Age - Latest News: “The parties agreed that Parramatta would not stand in Addo-Carr’s way of an immediate exit if he could secure a long-term deal with a rival.”
- SupportedThe summary says Addo-Carr can explore other opportunities, with an immediate exit conditional on a long-term rival deal.The Age - Latest News: “The parties agreed that Parramatta would not stand in Addo-Carr’s way of an immediate exit if he could secure a long-term deal with a rival.”
- SupportedThe Eels told Addo-Carr he would not be offered a new contract beyond 2027 and agreed not to stand in his way if he secured a long-term rival deal.The Age - Latest News: “However, Addo-Carr’s management was told he won’t be offered a new contract after 2027, prompting his agent to request permission to scout alternate options. The parties agreed that Parramatta would not stand in Addo-Carr’s way of an immediate exit if he could secure a long-term deal with a rival.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr met Eels officials, including coach Jason Ryles, after a false-positive cocaine result from a roadside test in September.The Age - Latest News: “Addo-Carr met with Eels officials including coach Jason Ryles on Wednesday to discuss his future after he produced a false-positive result for cocaine at a random police roadside test in September.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr was 31 years old.The Age - Latest News: “However, the 31-year-old will resume his career after a second oral fluid sample came back negative.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr was cleared to return next season after a second oral fluid sample came back negative.The Age - Latest News: “Both the NRL and the club cleared him to return next season. ... However, the 31-year-old will resume his career after a second oral fluid sample came back negative.”
- SupportedThe Eels said: “The club has informed Josh and his management that it will not be seeking to extend his current contract beyond the end of the 2027 season. Josh and the club have mutually agreed that it is in his best interests to immediately explore opportunities elsewhere to give Josh the best opportunity to secure his future.”The Age - Latest News: ““The club has informed Josh and his management that it will not be seeking to extend his current contract beyond the end of the 2027 season,” the Eels said in a statement. “Josh and the club have mutually agreed that it is in his best interests to immediately explore opportunities elsewhere to give Josh the best opportunity to secure his future. The club will continue to support Josh as he considers his next opportunity.””
- SupportedThe false-positive test cost Addo-Carr a chance to be considered for Kangaroos World Cup selection.The Age - Latest News: “Regardless, the former Storm star has paid a high price - it has cost him a chance to be considered for Kangaroos World Cup selection, while almost $400,000 worth of personal sponsors have abandoned him .”
- SupportedAlmost $400,000 worth of Addo-Carr’s personal sponsors have abandoned him.The Age - Latest News: “Regardless, the former Storm star has paid a high price - it has cost him a chance to be considered for Kangaroos World Cup selection, while almost $400,000 worth of personal sponsors have abandoned him .”
- SupportedAddo-Carr has scored 167 tries from 224 NRL games.The Age - Latest News: “He has scored 167 tries from 224 NRL games”
- SupportedThe Eels are close to securing Knights winger James Schiller for 2027, and Jack Bostock and Bradman Best are targets for 2028.The Age - Latest News: “The Eels are planning for the future; they are close to securing Knights winger James Schiller for 2027, while Jack Bostock and Bradman Best are targets for 2028.”