There is a very real possibility one of the game’s brightest young halves could be leaving the Gold Coast as Titans number 7 Jayden Campbell weighs up his options.
The Titans remain confident they can retain their local talent, with football boss Scott Sattler highlighting the importance of Campbell continuing his career at the club where his father, Preston Campbell, became a legend.
However, the Perth Bears have swooped in with an astonishing contract offer according to reports today by CODE Sports, and it is unlikely to be matched by the Titans.
“I know Jayden loves the club and we would love to keep him at the Titans for life,” Sattler said, despite conceding that a bidding war with the Bears would be hard to win.
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The expansion club is reportedly looking to make Campbell its marquee signing and is understood to have proposed a massive five-year deal worth an estimated $6 million.
Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga said the club is following a structured approach to recruitment and is focused on signing players who fit the type of club they are building.
“We’re going to go after the players that we believe are going to fit the DNA that we are trying to develop at the Bears,” Meninga explained.
“How long that takes doesn’t particularly worry me, to be honest,” Meninga added, despite declaring months ago that they aimed to fill 10 roster spots by Christmas.
The Bears’ signings have been slow to materialize, and they have yet to secure any top-tier NRL talent, with a signing of a player of Campbell’s calibre going a long way to alleviating the pressure on the Bears’ recruitment.
Campbell, the 25-year-old playmaker, is off-contract with the Titans at the end of 2026, giving Perth an opportunity to secure one of the NRL’s most exciting outside backs.
The Bears had initially targeted other high-profile players, including Cameron Munster, but attention has now turned to Campbell to anchor their inaugural squad.
Campbell could provide the long-term solution Perth is seeking, as he is just entering his prime and offers both star qualities right now as well as more longevity than other key targets like Munster.
He made his NRL debut in 2021 and has since impressed with his attacking instincts, speed, and overall development, making him one of the Titans’ most dangerous attacking weapons.
The Titans are reportedly negotiating a potential extension with Campbell, flexible between three to five years depending on his preference, but at significantly less per season.
Gold Coast’s offer would pay Campbell north of $850,000 per season, reaching $1 million with salary cap adjustments in line with the 2028 TV rights deal..
It remains unclear whether the Titans are willing to increase their bid to retain the livewire halfback, having now freed up a large portion of David Fifita’s salary for the next two years.
Despite the financial lure of Perth, Campbell is reportedly weighing personal factors, including family and relocating across the country, as he considers his next move.
Pressure will mount on coach Meninga and the Bears’ front office if they cannot secure a marquee signing soon, and Campbell could immediately alleviate those concerns.
The outcome of Campbell’s decision is expected to have a major impact on both the Titans’ rebuild and the Bears’ inaugural season plans, as he remains one of the more high-profile stars available.
For now, Campbell remains a free agent, and the coming weeks are expected to reveal whether the Titans can keep their homegrown star or if the Bears will land a landmark signing for their debut season.