🚨 Breaking News The Parramatta Eels have officially announced the signing of young playmaker Jonah Pezet on three-years deal for the 2026 NRL season.

BREAKING NEWS: Paramatta eals officially Welcome, Jonah

Pezet finally joined for 2026.

🚨 Breaking News

The Parramatta Eels have officially announced the signing of young playmaker Jonah Pezet on three-years deal for the 2026 NRL season.

What the deal looks like

• Pezet is currently with the Melbourne Storm but activated a release clause to join the Eels for 2026. (News.com.au)
• He is then slated to move to the Brisbane Broncos from the 2027 season onward under a longer-term deal. (News.com.au)
• According to the Eels, general manager of football Mark O’Neill said: “Jonah is one of the most exciting young talents in the game. He adds class and depth to our halves as we head into the 2026 season.” (Parramatta Eels)

Why this matters

• The Eels pick up a highly-rated young half whose trajectory points upward.
• Pezet brings fresh competition (and potentially upgrade) for the halves spot alongside key playmaker Mitch Moses at Parramatta. (News.com.au)
• For Melbourne Storm this is a loss of a promising player who had to operate behind established halves. (News.com.au)
• For Brisbane, the deal locks in a future spine piece for 2027 and beyond. (News.com.au)

The context

• Pezet had been contracted with Melbourne until 2029 but had a clause triggered when Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes recommitted long-term, limiting Pezet’s future start opportunities. (News.com.au)
• Parramatta are in a phase of building depth and preparing for 2026 and beyond; this one-year deal gives the club flexibility while giving Pezet exposure. (Parramatta Eels)
• Some supporters on Reddit pointed out the deal’s awkwardness — a one-year stop-gap for a player leaving the following season — but accepted the logic for both parties. (Reddit)

What to watch

• How quickly Pezet integrates into the Eels’ system under head coach Jason Ryles and how he pairs with Moses.
• Whether this move affects the pathways of the Eels’ younger halves coming through their development system.
• The impact on Melbourne’s halfback depth chart and how other players such as Cameron Munster might be affected by this domino. (sen.com.au)
• The longer-term set up at Brisbane: how Pezet will fit into their future once he arrives.

Final thoughts

This is a bold strategic move by Parramatta: acquiring a young, talented half for one season to boost immediate performance and depth, while also aligning with longer-term planning. For Pezet, it’s a smart transition – gaining more game time, increasing his profile, and setting up for a major role at Brisbane. The signing carries both opportunity and risk: one season to make an impact, before moving on.