'No point': Cleary brushes off 'early' contract talks

Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has brushed off talk around his NRL future, claiming there is "no point" discussing it yet.

Cleary is signed until the end of 2027, which means he would become a free agent in November this year unless an agreement with Penrith is reached before then.

It would put the champion halfback in the sights of not only the existing clubs, but also the PNG Chiefs ahead of their inaugural 2028 season.

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The 28-year-old told The Sydney Morning Herald last month that he was "not closing any doors" regarding his future, with rugby union an option on the table.

But in a press conference on Thursday, Cleary said he hadn't made any decisions yet but would consider 'fast-tracking' an extension to quieten the noise.

"I don't think I've ever announced it [going on the market]," he said.

"I'm at the stage now where I'm like, there's no point even talking about it.

"I'm still contracted here for two years and it feels like such a long time for me. It hasn't been a discussion, I just said I wasn't gonna close off any avenues.

"It's come pretty early - maybe it's something that needs to be fast-tracked."

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Cleary is already one of the game's highest-paid players, raking in an estimated $1.2 million salary with the Panthers, but a potential tax-free move to PNG could be eye-watering and life-changing money for the NSW Blues star.

The classy No.7 has been in red-hot form to start this season with Penrith, who have established themselves as early premiership favourites.

When asked if the Panthers had started a season in better form during their run of dominance, Cleary couldn't

"I'm tyring to think now as well ... it's hard to say, every year is different," he said.

"We're obviously happy with the way we've started, but we still know it's very early in the season and you've got to keep investing in those important areas every week and not falling in love with yourselves."

Penrith will take on the Parramatta Eels on Saturday evening at CommBank Stadium.