Off contract at the end of the season, the former Queensland and Australia star is one of Canberra's highest paid players and it is understood he will have to find a new home after he was named in the Mounties NSW Cup line-up for the second straight game this week.

Young front rower Paul Vaughan has been touted as a representative player of the future after a breakout season last year, while Shannon Boyd was impressive in his rookie year in 2014.

Both players are contracted until the end of 2017 and the Raiders will likely need to table upgraded contracts to keep them should their rapid development continue.

Representative back rower Josh Papalii has also been shifted to front row to start this year, while there are high hopes for reigning Queensland Cup player of the year Luke Page after the prop joined the Raiders this season.

Canberra also aggressively chased Roosters hit man Jared Waerea-Hargreaves late last year in a sign they're chasing new front row blood, only for the New Zealand international to stay put.

However, the Raiders were successful in luring prop Frank-Paul Nuuausala from Bondi on a three year deal.

A huge chunk of Canberra's salary cap has been used up in the front row in recent seasons but Shillington's probable departure, Brett White's retirement and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs' move to Melbourne has eased that pressure.

Young star Jack Wighton also comes off contract at the end of next season and is certain to attract strong interest from rival NRL clubs after starring at fullback in the round one win at Cronulla.

Shillington, 31, was in strong form before he missed the final three games of last year with a chest injury.

He said in January that he was keen to extend his seven-season career in Canberra. His wife, Sonia, is expecting the couple's second child in June.

Manly could be a possible option for Shillington, the Sea Eagles desperate for experienced forwards after losing representative forwards Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough and Jason King last year.

The Queenslander may also attract interest from Gold Coast, where the futures of Greg Bird and Dave Taylor are clouded as they defend drug charges.

"I'm very settled down here, hopefully I'll play well and extend beyond this year down here, that'd be nice," Shillington said late last month.

"I'm in a happy place, I've got a second child on the way."

After the Raiders win over Cronulla, coach Ricky Stuart reiterated Shillington and Boyd were both in his plans after both big men were dropped for the Sharks clash.

"They are well and truly in our first-grade squad; both those boys Shillo and Boydy are great football players and have had great off-seasons.

"It's nothing negative in regards to them, we picked a football team which we thought was going to suit that style of game."