Reports first emerged in evening television news on Monday night that the one-time Premiership winner and 2013 Clive Churchill Medallist had made the surprising decision to potentially finish his lengthy NRL career as a two-club player after an unsuccessful summer of contract negotiations.
Cherry-Evans spoke on the Nine Network's '100% Footy' panel show on Monday night to clear up a bizarre two-hour period in which Manly Sea Eagles owner and chairman Scott Penn told Fox League's Brent Read via text message that the club had not been formally advised of Cherry-Evans' final decision, despite months of what the star halfback described as "very transparent conversations".
After the club opted not to offer the 36-year-old a contract beyond the end of 2024, Penn told Read exclusively during Monday's episode of NRL 360 of his intent to make a two-year counter-offer worth a reported $1.5 million.
Speaking to '100% Footy' in a 15-minute interview on Monday night, Cherry-Evans quickly shut down any chances of a change of heart or mind.
"Respectfully, no. I've been sleeping on this decision since December. We're at peace with it. We understand there are going to be a lot of fans that are really upset with this, and I get it will be big news, but we (Daly and his family) are content with the decision."
Cherry-Evans said he made his mind up late last year after speaking with "a couple of clubs" during the summer and decided to go public with his imminent move so early in the season to quell speculation and prevent the team from becoming unsettled and anxious.
"I felt like it was best after Sunday's game to come out and just openly say where it's at. No more footy at Manly beyond this year.
"The club and I have been aware of this decision since December. We had been in constant chats with them. It's all on me - I made the decision to say this will be my last year at Manly."
The Sydney Roosters and Dolphins are reportedly the frontrunners to secure Cherry-Evans' signature for 2026, with the potential of returning to his birthplace of Redcliffe surely a tempter for the Queenslander.
The halfback says he's not in any hurry to determine what to do next year, assuring supporters that his "full focus is on Manly and charging towards the finals this year. If I do then feel I've got more to keep playing on, I'll engage in those conversations later in the year."
When asked about whether he's keen for one more swansong in the Queensland maroon, Cherry-Evans was keen but unwilling to commit just yet.
"My heart is definitely in it still but I reckon over the next month it'll become clear if that's going to be for the best thing for me, my body and Manly. It'll be really hard to say no to Origin again this year."
Manly CEO Tony Mestrov fronted the media on Tuesday morning to confirm that the two-year offer remains on the table and was "not a kneejerk reaction" in response to Cherry-Evans' television appearance.
"If he is to play NRL again, we'd love him to play at Manly, that's for certain," Mestov told reporters.
"He's got a coaching offer from us to coach beyond (2026) ... the ball is in his court now."