Wests Tigers have reportedly decided to stick with Jack Bird for the 2026 season, ending weeks of speculation around the veteran’s future. The 30-year-old utility had been linked with a possible move away from Concord, including a proposed player swap with Manly’s Nathan Brown, but that plan now appears to be off the table.
According to News Corp, Bird will see out his contract at the Tigers and remain at the club for the next 12 months.
The call marks a significant show of faith in the former State of Origin representative, whose form has fluctuated in recent years as he battled injuries and inconsistency.
Fighting for a place under Benji Marshall
Bird joined the Tigers after a two-season stint at the Dragons, where he featured just 28 times. His debut campaign at Wests saw him make 17 appearances, mostly from the bench, before losing his spot in Benji Marshall’s matchday squad towards the back end of the season.
With his contract set to expire at the end of 2026, Bird will be eligible to talk to rival clubs from November 1. However, his immediate focus will be on regaining a regular spot in the Tigers’ 17 and showing he can still deliver at the top level.
A veteran of 173 NRL games across stints with the Sharks, Broncos, Dragons and Tigers, Bird’s future beyond next year remains uncertain.