There is growing speculation that Latrell Mitchell could quit Souths amid the Rabbitohs’ salary cap squeeze.

The superstar centre is contracted until the end of 2027 but is free to speak to rivals come November 1.

The 29-year-old is currently on a monster $1.1 million per year, with some suggesting he could command close to $1.5m on his next deal if he goes to the open market.

But given the fact that the Rabbitohs have signed Payne Haas from 2027 on $1.2 million per year, and captain Cameron Murray is tied down on more than $1m, the Bunnies are tight on cash.

There are even suggestions that they may offer Latrell less on his next deal, given the fact that they desperately need a halfback, as evident in their finals defeat to the Knights last weekend.

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His injury struggles are also of concern as Mitchell has played just 98 games in six years.

Mitchell has managed just 11 games in each of the past three seasons and has not played more than 17 games in a season since joining the Rabbitohs.

And veteran NRL journalist Paul Crawley suggested the salary cap squeeze mixed with Mitchell’s injury history could see Souths cut their losses.

“I’m saying it would be irresponsible right now to offer Latrell an extension on what we’ve seen because if that’s going to be your marquee man, he’s got to be on the field and he’s got to be fit,” Crawley said.

While David Riccio added: “It’s heading towards a serious decision that needs to be made by the Bunnies, Latrell or no Latrell, because of their salary cap. They don’t have any of their big money signed up in the halves or the spine.”

NRL greats also believe some Rabbitohs players were exposed as “not fit enough” in their finals loss to Newcastle as South Sydney faces key roster decisions over both Mitchell and Cody Walker.

The Knights played a fast-paced style in their elimination final final win over the Rabbitohs, who lost veteran five-eighth Walker to a calf injury during the game.

“South Sydney, for me, some of the best players were not fit enough,” Cooper Cronk said on Matty & Cronk on Kayo Sports.

“They were not fit enough. They could not go punch for punch, play for play with the Newcastle Knights. It was a masterclass of a game plan from Justin Holbrook.”

“Souths looked really tired after 20 minutes,” Matty Johns agreed.

Braith Anasta said on NRL 360: “I don’t think they’re fit enough. You look at their players, they are too slow across the park. You’ve got to be faster. 

“They get caught out especially in the ruck. It just looks to me they’re a pace or two behind. 

“I thought the wins at the end of year were deceptive. I didn’t think they were as good as what people thought. I really didn’t think they were going to have a chance at winning it.”

“They do let a lot of metres come through the centre of the ruck,” Gorden Tallis said.

“The older you get, the less weight you can carry. If I’m Latrell, it’s about the weight you carry.”

“It leads to a lot of questions going forward about this South Sydney roster and their roster,” Paul Crawley said on NRL 360.

“Across the board they got out-competed the didn’t look fit enough.

“What you’re saying is a massive call about Latrell,” Anasta said. “Do you think they would make that call.”

“South Sydney will do everything they can to give Latrell the opportunity to stay,” Crawley added.

“I think it would be irresponsible to offer Latrell an extension based on what we’ve seen because if that’s going to be your marquee man, he’s got to be on the field and he’s got to be fit.”

The Rabbitohs face a dilemma over their salary cap and roster in general with a lack of a top level halfback a key issue, prompting speculation Tom Dearden and Ezra Mam could join the club.

“They don’t have their big money signed up in the spine — fullback, hooker or the halves,” the Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio said.

“They’ve got Payne Haas coming in, they’ve got Cam Murray on big money, Latrell on big money, they’ve got to re-sign Tallis Duncan.”

Anasta said: “They can easily cruise into finals next year with the team they’ve got but that’s not what it’s about.

“I’d be cleaning out the spine and going for one big name.”

Anasta noted Wayne Bennett has one more year left on his current deal.

“He wants to win a comp,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a big curveball that comes over the next 12 months.”

Jayden Sullivan and Ashton Ward have shared the halfback role, while Walker is likely to sign a one-year deal in the hope of vying for a premiership.

“Their kicking game needs to improve, it needs to evolve,” Cronk said of Souths after their final exit.

“The Cody Walker situation, it was quite emotional coming off with a calf injury, whether it’s his last game or not.

“Payne Haas arrives next year. Wayne Bennett thinks he’s in the premiership window with Payne arriving. What does Cody Walker do? What does Wayne Bennett do with Cody Walker?

Matty Johns said: “He has to sign Cody. You’ve got to sign him for 12 months. There’s no one obvious you can go out and poach and get them in. They need him.

Cronk replied: “I agree. Give him 12 months and if it means playing him for two weeks then having two off.”