Likely to miss finals for a second year running, the Dragons on Monday informed club legend Soward they will not activate a mutual contract option for him to remain at the helm next season.
The call was understood to have left Soward weighing up his immediate future at the eighth-placed Dragons with three rounds remaining in the regular season.
Saints have won two from six games this year and likely need to win their remaining three to have any chance of finishing in the top four.
On Tuesday night, the Dragons confirmed the 2010 NRL premiership-winning five-eighth, who had also been in charge of the club's female pathways, would only leave after the ongoing campaign.
"The club has decided to review its female pathways structure for 2025 which will include the appointment of a new head coach," a Dragons statement read.
"Soward will continue to coach the Dragons for the remainder of the 2024 NRLW season, as the club focuses on finishing the year on a strong note.
"The club remains committed to supporting Soward in his role throughout the rest of the season."
Soward took charge of the Dragons from the 2021 season, leading the side to that year's grand final, before undertaking a roster rebuild when a slew of players left ahead of the 2023 season.
Soward has previously indicated his interest in coaching the NSW women's side, though Kylie Hilder remains in charge pending New South Wales Rugby League's ongoing annual review.
The Sky Blues lost the inaugural three-match series against Queensland despite a commanding game-one victory after missing out on reclaiming the shield following the drawn two-match series in 2023.
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