If off-contract Jason Taumalolo leaves North Queensland, teammate Gavin Cooper hopes it is for the NFL and not another NRL club.
Cowboys backrower Cooper has thrown his support behind Taumalolo's recent NFL trial in Los Angeles with Cronulla's Valentine Holmes despite sparking a club backlash.
More Sports HQ Videos
Plays of the Week
From tumbling refs to unbelievable catches, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sport world this week.
Club bosses are now keen to put a clause in standard NRL contracts that prevents players from attending NFL trials due to the risk of injury.
Current standard contracts only prevent NRL players from trialling with rugby union or AFL clubs despite Jarryd Hayne's NFL breakthrough.
But Queensland State of Origin forward Cooper has no problem with his teammate trying out for the NFL.
He even preferred Taumalolo signed with an NFL club rather than see this year's joint Dally M Medallist run out for another NRL team.
"I like the idea of the boys going over there and learning new skills or trialling," Cooper said.
"I think they are being pretty honest in telling the club when they are going.
![Shutting the door: Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes did a trial for NFL teams earlier this month.](/web/20161211163143im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/3/1/h/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt7bx8.png/1481250918655.jpg)
"I didn't think they would have to tell them if they didn't want to.
"If Jase was to leave our club I hope it is to the NFL not another NRL club."
But it seems the days of contracted NRL players trialling for NFL scouts in the US are numbered.
The club bosses' stance was backed by NRL CEO Todd Greenberg after the CEOs conference this week.
"The clubs have made it clear that they don't want their players going to another code, including NFL, and risking serious injury," Greenberg told News Corp Australia.
"That is a view the NRL shares.
"It is great to see NFL clubs recognising what great athletes are produced in the NRL.
"But they are paid to play rugby league so we cannot let them promote another code while they are registered with the NRL."
AAP