"Shaun plays a pretty much a six-type role now anyway," McFadden explained. "Chad's more of the organising half and Shaun's the one who plays much better when he's a little bit more relaxed and looking for opportunities.
"He's more of a runner but certainly a bit more flexibility around Shaun swinging both sides ... I have had some thoughts on how that might evolve next year.
"Certainly we want to get that best out of him so that's probably the best way to do it. Even if he moves to six, it's not going to change what he does on the field a whole lot."
If he makes the move, the 24-year-old playmaker would be emulating the switch made by Kangaroos, Queensland and North Queensland great Johnathan Thurston, who made 144 NRL appearances before switching from halfback to five-eighth in 2012.
But although many downplay the differences between the two roles, Thurston has switched back to halfback when the Cowboys have required his leadership and direction.
The three-time Dally M Halfback of the Year (2005, 2007, 2009) was urgently shuffled back to No 7 at club level near the midway point of last season after the Cowboys got off to a slow start.
He was then selected to play five-eighth in the 2014 Anzac test and State of Origin series, before starring at halfback as the Cowboys won eight of their final 10 games before being eliminated from the finals race.
He finished the season by claiming the Dally M Five-Eighth award for a third consecutive year but has been in dynamic form at halfback throughout this year's NRL campaign.
He turned in his finest outing for Queensland at No 6 in Wednesday's record-breaking State of Origin III game.
McFadden believes Johnson could be even more lethal if given extra room one pass wider without being burdened with the organisational responsibilities inherent in halfback play.
Rookie backline utility Tui Lolohea is seen as a future halves partner for Johnson, but Leuluai's vast experience and previous time at halfback, predominantly with Wigan, make him an ideal candidate to steer the ship in the No 7 jersey next year.
"Issac Luke is probably the premier choice at hooker but I've already discussed how that would work with Tommy," said McFadden. "Obviously Thomas can play halfback and we've got Tui Lolohea available, too. Ultimately, Tui will probably move into the halves in the future but we'll just have to wait and see how that develops."
Giving more ball to Johnson in better attacking positions is the overall theory behind McFadden's plan.
The extra time and space at five-eighth should allow his running game to come to the fore and prevent him being reduced to a distributor when confronted by rushing defensive lines at halfback.
"The good thing with Shaun is he's obviously a good ball passer but he's an extremely good ball-runner," McFadden said. "We want him to run more than be a ball-player so that certainly makes sense to put him in more of a second-receiver role and you've seen him start to do that already.
"He's got free rein at the moment. We're building his game slowly but long-term we want him to have a lot more flexibility over where he plays."
At sixes and sevens: What's the difference?
Halfback (No 7)
• Always lurking close to the ruck and usually the first player to receive the ball
• Directs the forwards and talks constantly with both the dummy-half and fullback
• Communicates his intentions to the five-eighths and outside backs
• Has the vision and ability to read the play and launch the attack
• Chief organiser and kicker in general play
• Feeds scrum and receives the ball
Five-eighths (No 6)
• Has more freedom and creative licence than a No 7
• Roams either side of the ruck, playing as a second halfback or two passes wide
• Can sit back and judge how to inject himself without organising through early tackles
• Needs a strong running game
• Shares the kicking duties when required or as he sees fit
