NRL 2023: Payne Haas re-signs with Brisbane Broncos on $3.5 million extension

Broncos superstar Payne Haas has finally ended speculation over his NRL future, signing a massive three-year deal with the Broncos - but the extension comes with a catch.

Payne Haas re-signs with Brisbane. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Imagery

Payne Haas is staying at the Brisbane Broncos.

In a huge coup for Brisbane, Haas has agreed terms on a $3.5 million contract extension with the Broncos staving off poaching threats from the NRL and Rugby Australia to secure the superstar prop to a new deal.

Haas dropped a bombshell on the Broncos last month when his management revealed the NSW Origin enforcer would head to free agency from November 1.

But the Broncos have averted Haas going to the open market, with the 23-year-old agreeing terms on an upgraded deal on Tuesday afternoon in a massive win for Brisbane and coach Kevin Walters.

The Broncos will announce Haas’ retention in the next 24 hours.

It is understood Haas has shaken hands on a three-year deal until the end of 2026 as part of a beefed-up deal worth up to $1.2 million a season - making him the highest paid player in Brisbane’s 35-year history.

The deal contains ratchet clauses that could see Haas’ wage go beyond the $1.3 million mark if the NRL salary cap continues to rise.

Payne Haas re-signs with Brisbane. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Imagery

The revelation comes just 24 hours after it emerged Australian rugby province the Western Force had lodged an expression of interest in Haas.

But the Broncos bookend has knocked back the Force and all interest, rejecting the option to head to free agency as he sets sights on a premiership at Brisbane.

The news will come as a huge relief for the Broncos and coach Walters, who was always confident of retaining the prop despite Haas’ initial intention to source rival offers in the coming months.

In the wake of his management’s revelation, a market frenzy ensued, with all 16 NRL rivals expressing preliminary interest in the 118kg powerhouse, who played his 100th game last week against the Eels.

The Tigers and Dragons were ready to pounce with massive deals, while Storm coach Craig Bellamy had confirmed his interest, saying he was keen to talk to Haas if he eventually went to free agency.

Haas was also strongly linked with the Bulldogs, who dropped a bombshell on Tuesday by severing ties with his former Broncos teammate Tevita Pangai Jnr, freeing up more cash under the salary cap.

But the Broncos had a three-month headstart on their rivals and Brisbane bosses wasted no time, tabling an irresistible package that will also cater for Haas’ personal development for life after football.

Brisbane’s resurgence this season ostensibly sealed the deal, although by extending his deal until the end of 2026, Haas has ensured rugby union and the opportunity to play at the 2027 World Cup can be used as leverage when he sits down to discuss a new deal in coming years.

Before then, Haas has a stated ambition to win a maiden premiership ring and the Broncos’ charge into the top two this season convinced the Origin and Test star he is on the verge of scaling the title summit.

“It is big for anyone in this game. You want to win premierships,” said Haas last week, also paying tribute to the Broncos for helping him through a number of off-field incidents in his rookie years.

“You don’t want to be out of finals so you just want to win premierships.

“The Broncos have helped me a lot.

“Obviously I owed them a lot and they have helped me a lot with the off-field stuff.

“I am really appreciative of the Broncos and what they have done for me.”

Before last Friday night’s clash against the Eels, coach Walters said Brisbane had no plans to lose Haas, hailing him the modern-day version of legendary Broncos prop Glenn Lazarus.

Payne Haas will be staying in Brisbane. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

“They have that win-at-all-costs mentality. Payne has that with his training and preparation and Lazzo’s record speaks for itself,” Walters said.

“He (Haas) certainly is without a doubt (in the same league as Lazarus) and he is still so young as well.

“Lazzo was in an era where 80-minute props were a thing that happened naturally. There was no rest and no interchange.

“Payne has picked that baton up. You’ve got to drag him off sometimes because he wants to stay out and mix it with them.

“I see that and also their leadership on the field. If there is some hard work to be done Payne is the first one to put his hand up to do it in defence or attack.

“That was certainly a quality that Lazzo brought ... Payne brings a specialty that very few players can bring to a forward pack.

“It’s a great achievement (playing 100 games) and I’d like to be standing here when he chalks up 200 games, which I believe will happen.”

His manager Ahmad Merhi always believed Haas would stay at the Broncos if Brisbane came to the party with the right terms.

That hasn’t happened, with Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy determined to ensure Haas remains a Bronco for life.

“The Broncos are in the box seat,” Merhi said.

“There’s a lot of headlines at the moment but we are on the same page as the Broncos, there’s no dispute with us and Brisbane.

“I don’t want to be sitting with other clubs if there’s no need to. I don’t want to be wasting anyone’s time.

“I believe Brisbane have the ability to get the deal done.”