NRL 2021: Broncos star Payne Haas eyes club record 10-year, $10 million contract

Payne Haas and Broncos hierarchy are in negotiations on the richest deal in Brisbane’s 33-year history.

Payne Haas celebrates victory for the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

NSW Origin star Payne Haas is on the verge of inking a Brisbane club record 10-year, $10 million contract that will make him a Bronco for life and the highest-paid prop in NRL history.

News Corp can reveal Haas and Broncos hierarchy are in negotiations on the richest deal in Brisbane’s 33-year history — a decade-long bonanza designed to keep the 21-year-old at Red Hill until the end of 2031.

Under the terms of the extraordinary deal, Haas will be Brisbane’s No.1 salary earner on a proposed seven-figure sum, which would make him the first $1 million forward in Broncos history.

It would be the NRL’s second 10-year contract after Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo signed a historic deal with the Cowboys in 2017.

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Payne Haas celebrates a victory for the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Haas is already contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2024 on a deal worth $550,000 this season, but club bosses are mindful of poaching threats from NRL rivals looking to capitalise on Brisbane’s wooden-spoon turbulence.

More than 10 NRL clubs this year have attempted to contact his management, or Haas directly, as rumours began to circulate the prop may want out of the Broncos.

Haas stood to command in excess of $900,000 annually on the open market should the Blues enforcer consider a change of scenery amid Brisbane’s on and off-field woes.

But the Broncos want Haas for the long haul and will keep him off the open market for up to 10 years pending approval on an upgraded deal from Brisbane’s board headed by chairman Karl Morris.

Payne Haas on the charge for the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

New Brisbane head-of-football Ben Ikin declined to discuss specific figures, but confirmed the Broncos are keen to secure the hottest young front-row prospect in the code to a lifetime deal.

“We will remain in the conversation with Payne and his agent about how we make sure he stays at the Broncos for life,” Ikin said.

“The conversation is bubbling along but we have no plans to lose Payne Haas.

“Keeping him at the club is always on our radar, it’s not something that ever drops off.

“We would like to think Payne wants to be here for the long-term.

“The Broncos certainly want to keep him and as the conversation continues (with his agent), hopefully we can at some point land on something we are both happy with at the right time.”

New Brisbane head-of-football Ben Ikin has made an immediate impact at the club, re-signing several young stars, with Haas set to follow suit. Picture: Getty Images.

Haas’ numbers are exceptional.

Since his NRL debut in 2018, he has amassed 8759 running metres at average of 168m per game and 1881 tackles from 52 career games at a weekly average of 36.

Underlining his talent, Haas made his NSW Origin in 2019 at age 18 after just 10 first-grade games.

Broncos bosses are in no rush but the deal is expected to be formally ratified this month in a move that will elevate Haas among the financial kingpins of the NRL.

News Corp’s exclusive Rich 100 list last week unveiled Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita as the NRL’s highest-paid prop on $850,000 a season.

Manly lock Jake Trbojevic and North Queensland No.13 Taumalolo, who operate as middle-forwards, are on deals in excess of $900,000 annually.

But Haas is set to become the new financial engine-room benchmark.

“Discussions are progressing positively with the Broncos,” said his agent, PSM director Chris Orr.

“It helps that Payne has confidence in his coaches, fellow players and head office.

“Payne is a special player who brings a lot to the Broncos.”

Payne Haas, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

His long-term retention is a statement of faith in Brisbane under Ikin and new CEO Dave Donaghy, with the club having retained Kotoni Staggs, Kobe Hetherington, Tyson Gamble, Jordan Riki, Brendan Piakura, Selwyn Cobbo and TC Robati this season.

The Broncos have also added marquee recruits Adam Reynolds and Queensland Origin utility Kurt Capewell on three-year deals from next season.

But Haas’ 10-year upgrade is the most seismic contract move in Brisbane’s quest for roster stability.

Haas would be 31 years old when he next becomes a free agent. Critics will raise concerns about Haas’ off-field dramas in recent years, but Brisbane insiders have noted his shift in maturity and attitude since becoming a father in May.

Payne Haas’ stats are exceptional. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Haas’ remarkable chase against Cronulla last week, denying the Sharks a try in the 80th minute of Brisbane’s 26-18 win, is evidence for the Broncos he is the ultimate competitor who would not become complacent by a 10-year deal.

The Broncos were burned by their first $1 million-a-season deal for Anthony Milford in 2017, but Brisbane view Haas as their forward spiritual leader and a possible future captain.

“Payne is a special player,” Ikin said.

“He plays in the toughest position on the field and he has such high personal standards and he brings them to every game, every week, into every training session.

“I have only got to know him over the past few weeks and everything I thought he would be, Payne has exceeded my expectations.”

The Kangaroos enforcer told News Corp last month he would give the Broncos every opportunity to keep him.

“I like the Broncos,” Haas said.

“I know some guys have left but this is a special club with a rich history. Things can happen in footy, we all know that, but I would like to be part of us having success again.

“I have some flaws in my game I have to work on, I am still a young middle and I’m proud of what I have done in a short space of time. I want to keep working hard and see what I can do.”