Essendon says talks about new deals with the players that have led the Club over the past two seasons are well placed.

This year’s Captain Brendon Goddard is out of contract at the end of the season, while his predecessor Jobe Watson is weighing up his future.

Chief Executive Xavier Campbell said he’s comfortable with where the Watson talks sit at the moment.

"I still think it's (a decision) two or three weeks away. We haven't put a deadline or anything else like that on with Jobe," Campbell told RSN.

"I've spoken to him really recently and had a good discussion. He sounds like he's in a pretty good headspace.

“He knows exactly where we sit and we know where he sits at the moment and I’m sure when the time is right we’ll move forward on that one.”

Goddard will miss the Dons match against the Bulldogs on Sunday as he continues his recovery from a groin complaint.

He’s played 19 games this year and is ranked in the Club’s top three for disposals, metres gained and score involvements.

"Discussions have been really positive.  I feel like we're in a pretty good position and hopefully there's an announcement coming soon," Campbell said.

Essendon secured All-Australian defender Michael Hurley yesterday in a deal that will see him remain with the Club until at least 2022.

Hurley still had a year to run on his contract and the Bombers had been in discussions with his management about an extension as early as last year.

Campbell met with Hurley’s management on Thursday to finalise the new deal.

“We were well progressed, it was just a matter of the finer detail yesterday,” he said.

“It certainly wasn’t done but it was well on the way and in the end it was a really easy transaction.

“We agreed yesterday morning and then it was a matter of getting Michael across it later in the afternoon and then we announced it.”

Campbell said the length of the contract wouldn’t cause extra strain on the salary cap.

“We’ve worked really hard to manage the cap, I think Adrian Dodoro, Rob Kerr – they’ve done a really good job at making sure we manage our cap appropriately in that we’re in a position when we do believe that we can really challenge that we have flexibility in our total player payments position,” he said.

“I don’t feel there is an enormous pressure – we’ve got to be diligent clearly, but there are still some moving parts that we just don’t know yet with some other players.

“I feel pretty comfortable in the position that we’re in.”

Talks with Michael Hibberd will resume when he returns from holiday and Campbell has been encouraged by negotiations with Ben Howlett.

"We've had ongoing discussions with Ben for a few weeks now. He's just working through a process in his own mind," Campbell said.

“I feel like the discussions have certainly been positive.  He’s a fantastic person.  He adds great value on and off the field to our organisation and we would love to have him.”