Payne Haas rejected offer from NFL franchise as future remains unclear

Payne Haas’ has been linked to a number of NRL clubs as his future remains unclear. It can now be revealed that the Broncos prop rejected an offer that would have rocked the NRL to its core.

NRL 2023 RD04 Dolphins v Brisbane Broncos – Payne Haas. Photo: Scott Davis/NRL Imagery

Payne Haas’ manager has revealed the Brisbane forward superstar rejected a shock poaching raid from an NFL club in a bid to chase a premiership with the Broncos this season.

Haas’ agent Ahmad Merhi says Brisbane’s No. 1 prop has fielded interest from the NFL, international rugby union and 16 NRL rivals as he prepares to meet Broncos bosses ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Bulldogs in Sydney.

As revealed by this masthead, Haas, off-contract at the end of next season, will test his value on the open market from November 1, fuelling fears the NSW Origin enforcer is considering quitting the Broncos.

But Merhi believes Haas will ultimately stay loyal to the Broncos and says the 23-year-old underlined his commitment to Brisbane by knocking back the prospect of a bombshell defection to American Football.

Haas’ NRL future remains an intriguing mystery. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Former South Sydney man mountain Jordan Mailata played for Philadelphia in this year’s Super Bowl in February and a month later, Merhi revealed he fielded a call for Haas to test himself in the NFL.

“Payne actually got an offer from an NFL club,” said Merhi, who will meet with Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy on Friday to continue contract talks.

“They called me in March. They felt Payne had the size and dimensions to make it, but their roles seem pretty structured to me.

“The NFL team was genuine about taking him overseas to a camp.

“They wanted Payne to go to a testing camp outside the US where they bring in different athletes from sports around the world.

“The NFL team made the offer but I said what if Payne doesn’t even pass the camp or would that team really take a chance on him, we can’t take that risk.

“The NFL have scouts around the world and they thought Payne had potential, but Payne shut it down pretty quickly, so it shows this is not just about the money for him.”

While Haas has been linked with the Bulldogs and Roosters, the Broncos remain quietly confident of retaining the four-time Paul Morgan Medallist.

This masthead can reveal the Broncos have discussed a $3 million, three-year extension to keep Haas until the end of 2027.

Haas is on $848,000 this season and Brisbane’s beefed-up package would make the front-row sensation the first $1 million forward in the Broncos’ 35-year history.

The Broncos remain confident they will keep Haas, who received an offer from an NFL side. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Merhi dismissed suggestions Haas is unhappy at Red Hill, saying he only wants a full picture of his market value and will more than likely ink a new deal with the Broncos.

“My gut feeling is he will stay at the Broncos,” Merhi said.

“I don’t see that Payne has an issue with the club, but the crux of the problem in the first place was Payne feeling his deal wasn’t fair, or reflective of his performances.

“He loves ‘Kevvie’ (coach Kevin Walters) and he loves the Brisbane Broncos, he loves their fans and everything about the club.

“We have built a pretty good relationship with the Broncos over the last three months and the people that run the show there.

“We’ve had interest from all 16 clubs, we’ve sent out an email letting the clubs know of our off-contract clients and they have all come back about Payne Haas.

“I honestly believe it will be very hard to get him out of there, but he just wants to tick that last box around his value.

“We just want transparency on his true value and Payne employs me, so he will make the final decision.

“I am being totally transparent with the Broncos and his full commitment is to Brisbane until the end of the season.

“He hasn’t had the chance to test his value, so we want to make sure his deal is fair on the open market and if it is, he will never complain in the future.”

Haas’ manager denied any suggestion that his client was unhappy in Brisbane. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Haas rocked the Broncos 15 months ago when he first asked for a release, a request that was rejected by Broncos CEO Donaghy, who has since stabilised contract matters in discussions with Merhi.

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has contacted Haas’ father to express interest, while an international rugby club has offered the Broncos prop in excess of $1.5 million a season to head abroad.

But Merhi says Haas’ driving force is to win an NRL premiership and Brisbane’s resurgence this season could prove a decisive factor.

“I have had interest from international rugby outfit and their offer was huge,” he said.

“Payne wants to play premiership football, so it’s very easy to work out the top four sides in the comp.

“Last year when he looked at a release, the Broncos weren’t a finals team, but now they are a serious contender.

“We can’t entertain every team, but Payne is competitive and he wants to be in a successful team, which Brisbane are at the moment.

“The Broncos have been offering $1 million for the past two years, even under his previous management. We haven’t been pushing for more money. He was offered a $6 million deal for six years two years ago and he knocked it back prior to me becoming his manager.

“I know several big clubs are keen, everyone has to look at their rosters, but Payne is happy at the Broncos and he likes playing under Kevin Walters, who is a total gentleman.

“If I get an offer from the Broncos I can’t refuse, then we would definitely sign before November 1, but right now it’s in his best interests to wait until November 1.

“For the moment, Payne is committed to Brisbane ... his heart and soul is with them.”

BRONCOS HIT BACK AT DOGS OVER HAAS RAID

By Peter Badel

Kevin Walters is adamant Brisbane won’t be beaten in a bidding war for Payne Haas and has declared the NSW Origin superstar will be a Bronco for life.

Haas’ management dropped a bombshell on the Broncos on Thursday by revealing plans for Brisbane’s No.1 prop to test his value on the open market from November 1.

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo has set the scene for a spicy clash against the Broncos on Saturday at Belmore by revealing the Bulldogs have the funds to launch a poaching raid for Haas.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters believes Payne Haas is going nowhere. Photographer: Liam Kidston

But Walters is unfazed by Haas’ desire to source rival offers and insists the 23-year-old, who is off-contract at the end of next season and a free agent in November, will not quit the Broncos.

“I believe Payne will be wearing a Broncos jersey for the next 10 years,” Walters said.

“We don’t normally like to talk about contracted players, but I will say this about Payne. I believe he will stay a Bronco.

“We have a great environment here, Payne knows we want him to stay and Payne is also aware he loves being at the place.

“We are comfortable with what Payne is doing.

“Out of respect to Payne and his management, they have every right to do that (test the open market).

“We are comfortable with their position.

“We will let things develop and unfold. He isn’t playing for us this week (due to an ankle injury). He is having a spell, but we will get him back next week and we know that he gives his all for whichever jersey he has on.

“My thought personally is that Payne will be a Bronco for life.”

Walters believes Brisbane can make Haas a Bronco for life. Picture: Getty

The Broncos have discussed a three-year extension for Haas until the end of 2027 worth $1 million a season.

It will take an enormous offer from an NRL or cross-code rival to blow Brisbane out of the water and Walters is convinced the contractual saga will not derail the Broncos’ quest to snap a 17-year premiership drought.

“It’s not a distraction to the playing group,” he said.

“We are very respectful of each individual and their needs.

“Payne has been a great player for us and he will continue to do that.

“He has been under pressure in other areas of his life and his output is still amazing, so it won’t be a distraction at all.”

Payne Haas (pictured as a fresh-faced youngster in 2018) has been a fixture at Red Hill for years. Picture: AAP

Haas’ manager Ahmad Merhi has revealed all 16 NRL rivals have expressed interest in the Test and Origin bookend.

The four-time Paul Morgan Medallist has a stated ambition to win a premiership ring and Walters says the Broncos, currently entrenched in the top four, are delivering a successful football program.

“You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that everyone will be interested in Payne,” Walters said.

“We believe we have created an environment where everyone wants to stay here and win and be successful.

“We are confident in the groundwork we have done here that all our players coming off contract want to stay here.

“I’m sure between both parties we can get an agreement where we are both happy.”

Walters, meanwhile, confirmed Corey Oates will miss the Bulldogs clash, with the veteran winger to be sidelined for at least a month as he prepares for surgery on his knee.

“He will be out for four to six weeks depending on how well he recovers,” he said.

“I feel a bit sorry for ‘Oatesy’, he’s had a tough year injury-wise but these things happen in footy.

“It was an innocuous incident at training, there was nothing in it really, but sometimes the body doesn’t hold up the way you want it to.

“The next step for him will be surgery and then recovery and depending on how quickly the old fella can recover, that will determine how quickly he plays again.”

Originally published as Payne Haas rejected offer from NFL franchise as future remains unclear