The Broncos are facing a salary cap squeeze as their captain addresses his future.
Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds has officially stated his intention to play on in Brisbane next year, but doesn’t want to see a new deal force any of his teammates out the door. Reynolds has been in sensational form for the Broncos this year, despite a blip on the weekend where he produced an uncharacteristically poor game against the Panthers.
Reynolds’ kicking-game has been one of the pillars of the Broncos’ rise to fifth on the ladder and it has prompted coach Michael Maguire to suggest he wants the club to re-sign the 34-year-old for next year. Maguire’s comments surprised Broncos legend and board member Darren Lockyer who suggested they had not planned on the veteran to play on in 2026.
Lockyer said the club would try and hold onto the halfback if he opted to play on, but his salary might take a huge hit. Because Reynolds is not a one-club player – having played for the Rabbitohs – the NRL won’t give the Broncos much salary cap dispensation to keep Reynolds.
The Courier Mail reported that Brisbane have begun negotiations with Reynolds for a new contract and are “prepared to offload several off-contract top-liners to table a new deal for their skipper.” And Reynolds has finally addressed his future after reports players might have to leave for him to stay.
The second-highest point scorer in NRL history said he would like to remain in Brisbane for another year, but didn’t want a deal to force any of the younger talent out the door. “I’m pretty confident that everyone can stay at the club,” Reynolds said.
“I feel like the club’s in a great position to achieve some success and obviously I want to be a part of that. I want all the younger boys to be a part of that. I don’t think me staying forces anyone out and if it does, that’s not what I mean to do.”
Lockyer’s comments around a Reynolds pay cut come with the Broncos dealing with a salary cap squeeze. The big $5 million extension of Reece Walsh and the added deals of Ezra Mam and Patrick Carrigan have taken up a solid portion of the Broncos cap.
The Brisbane side are also trying to extend Payne Haas’ stay, which would see him move beyond his $1.1 million a season salary. Kotoni Staggs is set to re-sign for the Broncos, while there is speculation Selwyn Cobbo could be on the move because the side can’t offer him more money. Cobbo could fetch more than $1 million on the open market and his recent form at fullback – filling in the for injured Walsh – has only strengthened his claim. But a future Reynolds deal is unlikely to impact Cobbo’s future, but rather the fringe players of the squad.
Darren Lockyer hesitant over Adam Reynolds deal
Speaking on Channel 9 last month, Lockyer said Reynolds would need to take a sizeable pay cut to remain. When NRL supremo Phil Gould asked Lockyer if they had the salary cap space, Lockyer replied: “Well it depends on what Adam Reynolds wants to play for.”
When pushed on whether the Broncos had budgeted for him to play on, Lockyer replied: “No. But he’s the type of player that would have to change plans for.” Lockyer suggested the club would have to make ‘sacrifices’ if Reynolds were to be handed a new contract, but the halfback would also take a financial blow if he wants one more year.