The Sharks have half of their 30-man squad off-contract this year, with the biggest overhaul of Cronulla's roster looming since Craig Fitzgibbon became coach in 2022.
Captain Cameron McInnes headlines the list, while Braden Uele, Jesse Ramien, Sione Katoa, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf and Will Kennedy are among others whose contracts are expiring.
Cronulla are desperate to keep as many players as possible, with the group having reached the last two preliminary finals and stability one of their biggest advantages.
But Mezzatesta is under no illusion about the fact the club will have to let some talent go, with a real sense this shapes as a defining year for the current group.
"Our intent will be we'll try and get as many done as possible … but I think we're realists as well. We're not going to be able to fit everyone in the roster," Mezzatesta said.
"It's going to be hard on the money terms alone, let alone wanting to keep everyone.
"With the opportunities that are out there, the Perth Bears coming in, the PNG Chiefs, there is going to be so much competition.
"It's going to be inevitable. We won't keep everyone. It just won't work."
Mezzatesta said the Sharks would try to make calls early in the interest of players, while hopeful the close-knit nature of the squad would stop it becoming an issue.
Already this off-season McInnes, Rudolf and Talakai have spoken about the prospect of having to move elsewhere, while Kennedy's one-year extension for 2026 was only done after last season.
"It could be unsettling, but you've to make sure you look after the player, number one," Mezzatesta said.
"And I think honesty and transparency is really important at this stage, and in particular for them at this point in their career.
"It's also probably a message for the younger boys coming through, they need to know they're going to have their chance as well.
"So it's probably time we started looking at who is coming through the ranks."
Mezzatesta suggested Rudolf's comments around eyeing off Papua New Guinea came after he'd already spoken with the club about his future.
And the Cronulla CEO said Talakai, who has caught the eyes of the Bears, was an example of the kind of situation the Sharks were facing.
"He's someone we'd love to keep," Mezzatesta said.
"But he's a really good example of if he gets some decent dollars thrown at him and longer tenure with an extended contract, why would we stand in his way?
"He's done a job for us and at the end of the day we need to do a job for him and grant him that release, if he so asked for it.
"I think you'll find every player wants to stay. It's going to be unfortunate if we can't make it work mathematically.
"He would be a loss … but if he gets a bigger offer an extended contract, that's going to be difficult."
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