What happened to Jack Bird's contract with the Wests Tigers?

Despite being contracted to the Wests Tigers until the end of 2026, Jack Bird has been granted permission to test the NRL market and leave the club at the end of the current 2025 season.

Why is Jack Bird leaving the Wests Tigers?

Jack Bird's tenure at the Wests Tigers is ending prematurely due to a combination of factors, including limited playing time in 2025 (mostly off the bench), being relegated to 18th man, and recent injury setbacks. The club is also undergoing a broader roster overhaul ahead of the 2026 season.

What is Jack Bird's NRL career history?

Since debuting for the Cronulla Sharks in 2015, Jack Bird has played 173 first-grade games across stints with the Sharks, Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons, and now the Wests Tigers. He was a key member of the Sharks' 2016 premiership-winning team and earned five State of Origin caps for New South Wales between 2016 and 2017.

Home / Sports / Premiership-Winning Star Jack Bird Exits Wests Tigers Amid Roster Overhaul

Premiership-Winning Star Jack Bird Exits Wests Tigers Amid Roster Overhaul

16 Aug

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Summary

Jack Bird granted permission to leave Wests Tigers despite being contracted until 2026
Bird signed a 2-year, $400k per year deal with Tigers this season after early release from Dragons
Injuries and inconsistent form have prevented Bird from recapturing early career success

As of August 16th, 2025, premiership-winning utility player Jack Bird is on the lookout for his fourth NRL club. The 30-year-old had signed a two-year, $400,000 per year contract with the Wests Tigers this season after securing an early release from St George Illawarra. However, his tenure at Concord now appears set to end far sooner than originally planned.

After making just 17 appearances in 2025, mostly off the bench with only two full 80-minute games, Bird has been relegated to 18th man in Round 10. Recent injury setbacks have further complicated his situation. The Tigers have now granted Bird permission to explore the market and leave the club at the end of the current season, provided he secures a new contract elsewhere.

This move is part of the Tigers' broader roster overhaul as they prepare to reshape their Top 30 squad ahead of the 2026 season. The club has already signed several new players, leaving little room for Bird to remain. Despite his premiership-winning pedigree and early career success, injuries and inconsistent form have prevented Bird from recapturing that early promise, leaving his next NRL destination uncertain.

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