Key Points
- Leeds Rhinos are expected to offer Chris Hankinson a new deal to stay beyond this season.
- The winger/full-back has become a strong option for Leeds after joining from Salford Red Devils last year.
- Hankinson’s versatility has helped him cover several positions and strengthen his case for a fresh contract.
- His recent form, including an impressive display at Magic Weekend, has boosted his standing at AMT Headingley.
- Head coach Brad Arthur said Hankinson “is certainly someone who wants to stay” and praised his team-first attitude.
- Arthur also said Ian Blease is “doing a really good job” of keeping the players Leeds want to retain.
- If the expected deal is completed, Ryan Hall would become the only off-contract senior player left at the club.
Leeds Rhinos (The Leeds Times) July 9, 2026 – Leeds Rhinos are close to making a contract call on Chris Hankinson, with the club expected to offer him a new deal that would keep him at AMT Headingley into 2027. The development would leave Ryan Hall as the only off-contract senior player still standing in the senior squad.
As reported in the source material, Hankinson has become one of Leeds’ more reliable additions since arriving from Salford Red Devils last year.
His ability to cover multiple positions has given the Rhinos useful flexibility, and his recent performances have strengthened the case for retention.
Why is Chris Hankinson close to a new deal?
Hankinson was due to be out of contract at the end of the season, but the indication is that an extension is now a matter of timing rather than uncertainty. His form has improved during a period when Leeds have valued consistency and adaptability across the squad.
The article says his display at Magic Weekend was another example of his recent progress. That kind of form has helped turn him from a useful squad option into a player viewed as a likely long-term part of the club’s plans.
What did Brad Arthur say about Hankinson?
Brad Arthur made it clear that Leeds want to keep the players they value, and he placed Hankinson in that category. As reported by the source, Arthur said:
“We’ve not lost anyone that we wanted to keep – and people might say we have because we’ve lost guys to the NRL.”
Arthur added that those departures were made with the club’s blessing because the players wanted to progress their careers. He also said Ian Blease is
“doing a really good job of keeping the guys we want to keep,”
and described Hankinson as
“certainly someone who wants to stay.”
Arthur further said Hankinson “is all about the team” and has started to receive individual rewards for that approach.
That comment underlines how Leeds view the player’s value beyond just headline statistics or single-match impact.
How has Hankinson helped Leeds?
Hankinson’s main value has been his adaptability. The source says he is capable of filling in at a number of positions, which gives Leeds extra options when injuries, form changes, or tactical adjustments affect selection.
His recent run of games has also shown that he can contribute at a higher level than a simple squad fill-in. The report frames his current spell as a “career renaissance,” suggesting Leeds see him as a player whose best form may still be ahead of him.
What does this mean for Leeds Rhinos?
If Leeds finalise the expected deal, they will move a step closer to settling their senior squad for the longer term. Keeping players who fit the coach’s system can reduce uncertainty, especially when clubs are balancing short-term results with future planning.
It would also leave only Ryan Hall as the senior off-contract player, which points to a relatively stable contract picture compared with clubs that face larger turnover. For a side trying to maintain consistency, that kind of continuity matters.
Which players are still in focus?
The headline contract focus is Hankinson, but the wider point in the report is Leeds’ desire to keep the right core together.
The mention of Hall as the only remaining off-contract senior player suggests the club is nearing a cleaner end to its retention work for the current cycle.
The article does not say a formal announcement has already been made, only that the move is expected. That means the situation is best read as an advanced stage of talks rather than a completed confirmation.
Background of this development
Chris Hankinson joined Leeds Rhinos from Salford Red Devils last year, and his move has since developed into a clear success for the club.
The report says he has impressed in recent weeks and that his form has made a new contract increasingly likely.
The wider background is Leeds’ approach to squad management under Brad Arthur and Ian Blease, who have been working to keep players they believe should remain part of the club’s plans.
Arthur’s comments suggest the Rhinos are aiming to protect continuity while allowing departures only where players have chosen to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Prediction: how could this affect supporters?
For Leeds Rhinos supporters, an extension for Hankinson would likely be read as a sign of stability and sensible squad planning.
Because he can cover multiple roles, his retention could matter most during periods when injuries or form changes require flexibility in selection.
It may also strengthen confidence that the club is keeping players who fit Arthur’s system and team-first standards.
If the deal is completed, the practical effect for fans would be less uncertainty about the squad and a clearer picture of Leeds’ direction for 2027.
