The Bombers have reportedly told a pair of Essendon veterans to seek opportunities elsewhere if they want longer-term deals, having sought extensions beyond 2025 this week before only to be knocked back by the club.
Key defender Jayden Laverde is signed in the red and black for the next 12 months and has recently been in the sights of rival sides despite having a deal with the Bombers.
Livewire forward Jake Stringer has reportedly reached a trigger clause this year that has seen his services extended at Tullamarine for next season.
While having deals locked in for 2025 for his clients, the manager of Laverde and Stringer, Robbie D'Orazio, had meetings with Essendon coach Brad Scott, list manager Matt Rosa and chief executive Craig Vozzo this week alongside the two players.
According to The Age, D'Orazio's pursuit of extensions for both players was denied by the Bombers, who are said to have told both parties to assess options outside of the club if they wanted longer contracts.
The double decision reportedly led to Bombers captain Zach Merrett expressing his disappointment in not offering either Stringer or Laverde, two players close to Merrett, new deals.
Merrett was already scheduled to meet with Scott this week, but the topic arose in their discussions, with the Bombers captain said to have shown his disappointment.
Both Laverde and Stringer are said to have external interest in their signatures, with Carlton and St Kilda reportedly expressing some level of interest in the former, per the publication's report.
Stringer was one of seven Bombers players to feature in all 23 games under Scott this year, booting 42 goals to fall one short of season leader Kyle Langford.
Laverde played in 21 games, his fourth successive season of 19 or more matches for the Bombers since slotting into a permanent key defensive role.
Essendon were quick to make list moves following the end of their 2024 campaign, delisting Nick Hind, Tex Wanganeen and Kaine Baldwin on Monday, adding to the already confirmed departure of young forward Jaiden Hunter.
The club has since re-signed small forward Matt Guelfi to a new deal, leaving Todd Goldstein, Will Setterfield, and Sam Weideman among those still without contracts for next season.