The 15 Rotherham United players set to leave in 2026 | OneFootball

There are 15 players that could leave Rotherham United next summer as free agents.

Rotherham United are hoping to improve on their underwhelming first season back in League One.

The Millers finished 13th, and were 19 points adrift of Leyton Orient in sixth and the fight for promotion.

Given they had been relegated from the Championship in 2024, supporters would’ve hoped to be more competitive and at least be in the mix for a play-off place.

Matt Hamshaw made his return to the club by taking over as interim manager in March before being handed a three-year contract to keep the role permanently in April of this year.

He will be under pressure to get results this season, but he also has 15 players with expiring contracts in 2026 to manage as well…

For this piece, we used information from Transfermarkt.

Cameron Dawson

There is just one goalkeeper with an expiring contract at Rotherham, with Cameron Dawson’s current deal set to conclude in the summer of 2026.

The 30-year-old signed a two-year deal when he joined the club in 2024, making the switch from Sheffield Wednesday.

Joe Rafferty

There are four defenders currently out of contract with Rotherham at the end of this season.

Joe Rafferty joined the club in 2024 on a two-year contract following two years at Portsmouth, where he was able to help Pompey win the League One title in 2023/24.

However, he is now into the final 12 months of his deal with the Millers, leading to uncertainty over his future.

Zak Jules

Zak Jules turned down a new deal from Exeter City in the summer of 2024 to make the switch to the Yorkshire outfit, arriving on a two-year deal.

However, the 28-year-old centre-back made just 22 appearances in League One last season for United, and will be needing a big 2025/26 campaign should he wish to earn himself a new deal beyond next summer.

Reece James

Reece James was another 2024 summer signing who joined on a two-year deal, having previously been with Sheffield Wednesday.

His contract is now set to expire in the summer of 2026, and for a player who will be 32 by that point, he will require another strong campaign in order to prove that handing him fresh terms would be a wise investment for the club to make.

Sean Raggett

Meanwhile, Sean Raggett arrived at Rotherham last summer after his exit from Portsmouth, with a contract that will expire in June 2026 unless an agreement can be reached on an extension.

The 31-year-old made just 11 total appearances for the Millers last term, and so a similar season this time around may well seal his Rotherham fate.

Liam Kelly

Rotherham have up to six midfielders with an expiring contract in 2026, and one of those is veteran campaigner Liam Kelly.

Steve Evans’ busy 2024 summer transfer window as Rotherham manager also saw the addition of the former Coventry City man, who arrived with a two-year contract that runs until next summer.

Dru Yearwood

Dru Yearwood was brought to the club after an initial trial period this summer, arriving from US side Huntsville City on a one-year deal that includes the option for an extra 12 months.

The 25-year-old has already been seeing extended opportunities in the opening exchanges of the season, and could be set to play a big part for Rotherham this term.

Josh Benson

Josh Benson is in a similar position to Yearwood after joining in July, agreeing a one-year contract with the option for a one-year extension.

Also 25, the former Barnsley man will be hoping to get his career back on track at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Shaun McWilliams

Shaun McWilliams is also out of contract upon the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, but he arrived in the summer of 2024 on a two-year deal along with Rafferty.

The former Northampton Town star made over 30 first-team appearances for the Millers in his debut campaign last year, and will be hoping to see enough opportunities in order to win himself a new deal.

Joe Powell

Joe Powell was another player who joined the Millers in 2024 on a two-year deal, which is now set to expire at the end of this season.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a superb debut campaign last term, netting once and providing 10 assists in 55 total appearances for Rotherham.