The club mutually agreed to terminate the contract of the veteran halfback effective immediately, meaning Hunt is without a club for next season and beyond.

Two weeks ago, the Dragons told Hunt he had permission to negotiate with clubs before November 1, regarding a potential deal from 2026.

Now, teams who are halfback-needy right now can make a play at Hunt and try and lure him into their jersey as soon as Round 1, 2025.

It’s being reported that Hunt prefers a move back to his home state of Queensland, but for the right price and situation could he remain in New South Wales?

Hunt was on a deal worth $950,000 a season at the Dragons, but The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis says that the 34-year-old veteran won’t likely be offered a new contract worth that much, comparing it to the situation of former St. George-Illawarra teammate Zac Lomax.

“He’s on a deal worth a little bit less than a million next season. I don’t think he gets to that level on the open market and it’s important to know that it’s similar to the situation with Zac Lomax where the Dragons said if you want to go, you can go but we aren’t chipping in a cent,” Carayannis said on Fox Sports News.

“I think his value has slipped below that $950,000 mark he was going to be paid by the Dragons next year.”

Foxsports.com.au takes a look at which clubs could be most likely to make a move for Hunt.

DOLPHINS

The Dolphins have emerged as the first club to confirm their interest in Hunt’s services on Wednesday, with CEO Terry Reader telling The Courier Mail: “The Dolphins have always said that we are interested in good players that are available.

“We only learned of the situation regarding Ben Hunt from the media this morning and have not had any contact with him or his management in relation to him coming to the Dolphins.

“However we are sure if he is interested in speaking to us, we will hear from his management.”

Meanwhile, new coach Kristian Woolf didn’t exactly shoot down rumours the club was interested in Hunt when he was asked about it a fortnight ago.

“We’re always interested in talented players and Ben Hunt is a talented player. We’re always interested in having those conversations but as I said, that conversation hasn’t happened at the moment,” Woolf said.

Carayannis said in the wake of the Hunt’s contract termination, that the Dolphins had already asked the question of the Dragons.

“You look at some of the clubs that need a half, and the Dolphins have been keen on Ben Hunt as recently as a couple of months ago, they asked the question to the Dragons,” Carayannis reported.

The Dolphins have a rising star at halfback in Isaiya Katoa, so if they manage to lure Hunt, it’s likely the veteran plays five-eighth with Jeremy Marshall-King to remain at hooker in what will make up one of the league’s best spines.

The 17th franchise also reportedly have cap space available to accomodate Hunt, should the two parties come to an agreement.

BRONCOS

With plenty of uncertainty around the future of Ezra Mam, could the Broncos turn to a favourite son for a quick fix? If the Broncos elect to suspend or even sack Mam, Hunt could next season form an experienced yet dangerous halves pairing with Adam Reynolds. The Broncos are bracing for the retirement of Reynolds, which is expected to come at the end of next season, and will be looking for a new halfback to steer the ship. Could Hunt play next to Reynolds in 2025 and then fill the halfback void from 2026 if Reynolds does retire? Ironically, Hunt is actually a few months older than Reynolds but his body has held up better. He’s averaged 22 games a season over the last three years as opposed to Reynolds’ average of 18 games. Now that Hunt’s negotiated an immediate release, another option is that he could slot straight into the Broncos’ No.9 jersey — but that would come down to salary cap space given Reynolds would still be taking up a fair chunk of it next season.

TITANS

One of the most halfback-needy teams in the NRL, if not the neediest, is the Titans. Gold Coast boast a forward pack that rivals any other in the comp in addition to some talented outside backs. A halfback is what they need to take them over the hump. They have an ageing playmaker in Kieran Foran, but Hunt is an upgrade. So could Hunt land in the Gold Coast as the club’s next halfback? Not only could he slot straight in, he’d be a great mentor for Carter Gordon, the former Wallaby who switched to rugby league last season. Gordon is being pegged as the Titans’ future halfback, but the ability to learn under Hunt for a year or two would be invaluable. Hunt has previously been linked to the Titans, and the eighth Immortal Andrew Johns floated a shock swap deal post-season that could open a path for the move. He was of the belief Sam Verrills could be headed back to the Roosters, clearing cap space and a top 30 spot for Hunt to head north. Hunt would also be the perfect experienced foil for the likes of Jayden Campbell who has shown he’s got the talent to be an elite playmaker in the NRL.

COWBOYS

The Cowboys have reportedly pulled out of the race for Hunt, but given the veteran is available right now and Chad Townsend is no longer in Townsville, should North Queensland change their tact? The Cowboys are an extremely talented team and with Hunt added to the fray, they would be considered among the premiership favourites. Jake Clifford is being pegged as the 2025 halfback on the back of some decent form this past season, however he’s got limitations and probably isn’t the guy that can lead this team to a premiership. Hunt, surrounded by the likes of lethal attacking weapons Tom Dearden, Scott Drinkwater, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai, can. Not to mention, he has a relationship with Dearden, Taulagi, Nanai and Reuben Cotter having spent considerable time with them in rep camps.

KNIGHTS

If there’s one thing the Knights desperately need to sort out it’s their halves situation. The Knights need some stability in the halves and this is problem Hunt can solve … if he’s open to a move to the Hunter. The Knights have a strong roster, but are a halfback away from contending for a premiership. The chance to play with Kalyn Ponga would be extremely alluring for Hunt. Jack Cogger was recruited to the club but Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings started together this year in a nod of goodwill by coach Adam O’Brien after their form in 2023. But after back-to-back losses to start the season, O’Brien started chopping and changing. Hastings was dropped then recalled before Gamble was dropped and then recalled. Cogger, meanwhile, went from the bench to halfback to five-eighth to reserve grade in the space of seven weeks and Will Pryce also had a short-stint at five-eighth. Cogger was eventually recalled but ended up finishing the year partnering Phoenix Crossland in the halves. While Crossland had some promising performances in the No.7 jersey — and was developed as a half — he’s not the answer and had found a home at hooker anyway.

BULLDOGS

Carayannis believes the Bulldogs “are the club at the top of the list” for Hunt’s signature. It makes sense, given halfback has been a point of contention for the club in recent years and the Dogs are genuine premiership contenders now. Could Hunt be the final piece to the Bulldogs’ premiership puzzle? Or are they better off investing in the future? For years the Bulldogs’ biggest question mark has been over their halfback. Jake Averillo had the job at the start of 2022, then it went to Kyle Flanagan, then Toby Sexton at the back end of last season and then Drew Hutchison started 2024 in the No.7 jersey before Sexton took over again. Sexton and Burton formed a combination that has plenty of potential — and they did help steer the club to its first finals appearance since 2016. The rumours linking Hunt with the Bulldogs first started in August when Hunt met with Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould in August, 2022. The Dogs are building nicely and adding Hunt’s experience to the spine would take them a step closer to a premiership, but it could cost them Sexton. That may not be so bad with teenage prodigy Mitchell Woods making his way up the pecking order — but there’s no guarantees Woods will be ready to be a starting halfback by the time Hunt calls it a day.

WARRIORS

There’s probably more chance of pigs flying than Hunt making the move to New Zealand but the reality is the Warriors have a No.7 jersey that needs filling following Shaun Johnson’s retirement. It would take an impressive pitch to lure Hunt across the ditch so late in his career but it’s worth a try for a player of his calibre.