The Broncos are facing a brutal $6 million reality, with rivals circling superstar prop Payne Haas and club bosses set to begin negotiations to extend his contract.
That is according to Code Sports, who are reporting those preliminary contract discussions will begin this week amid a mammoth salary cap headache for Brisbane powerbrokers.
Two thirds, or 20 of their top 30, will become free agents over the next two seasons, with News Corp estimating those players to reportedly be worth $6.6 million.
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Throw in the mix veteran halfback Adam Reynolds, who reportedly has a desire to play on into the 2026 season, and the Broncos’ hierarchy weren’t expecting to hand him a further 12 months after an initial extension last season.
Brisbane currently have 14 players who are currently free agents, including hooker Cory Paix, Reynolds, Jack Gosiewski, Kobe Hetherington and star centres Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo.
Staggs is reportedly set to sign a multi-year extension worth up to $3 million, while Cobbo reportedly isn’t willing to take a pay cut on his $600,000 deal.
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Now Haas, who has been the best forward in the NRL so far in the 2025 season, could further complicate matters with his value skyrocketing.
“I would love to keep Payne,” Maguire said.
“I won’t talk about contracts, but what I will say is that Payne is a Broncos man. He is passionate about the club and his passion towards the club is great to be around.
“One thing you notice is that Payne is very passionate about what he wants to achieve with his teammates at the Broncos. That definitely comes out in everything I have seen.”
The 25-year-old becomes a free agent on November 1, with the Sea Eagles already publicly stating they’re interested in his services.
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Haas’ current contract exceeds the $1 million mark, currently being the highest-paid player at the Broncos and the club’s first million dollar forward.
Titans star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui earns a reported $1.2 million, and any fresh contract for Haas will likely have to equal or exceed that figure.
Meanwhile, Reynolds’ contract is reportedly worth around $550,000, with Broncos bosses forking out a reported $1.2 million over two years to recruit Ben Hunt.
Should the master halfback play on, his salary wasn’t initially in the club’s salary cap plans, while Reece Walsh’s fresh four-year, $1.1 million deal begins in 2026.
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