NRL 2024: Adam Reynolds drops retirement hint after signing new Brisbane Broncos deal for 2025

Just days after inking a new Broncos deal, skipper Adam Reynolds has dropped hint over his NRL future beyond 2025, conceding time is running out on his Brisbane title dream.

Adam Reynolds extends his stay in Red Hill.

Adam Reynolds says his new Broncos deal could be his final NRL contract with the Broncos skipper conceding there is no guarantee his body can survive the rigours of NRL beyond next season.

The Broncos have received a boost with their champion captain inking a 12-month extension for the 2025 season in a coup for Brisbane ahead of Sunday’s historic clash against the Roosters in Las Vegas.

In a remarkable tribute to his durability, Reynolds will launch his 13th NRL campaign in the 2024 premiership opener, but concedes time is running out in his dream to deliver a Broncos title.

A sparkling 2023 campaign convinced Reynolds to sign another deal with the Broncos, but he revealed retirement is on the horizon as the 33-year-old confronts the reality of becoming a year-to-year proposition.

Adam Reynolds admits his new Broncos contract could be his final NRL deal. Picture: Getty Images

“I think I’m at a stage of my career now where it’s uncertain how the body will be after 12 to 24 months,” Reynolds said.

“The Broncos have been fantastic for me, I love this place and I wanted to extend my time here, so I’m glad it (his contract extension) is sorted out.

“I have a big year here first, then next year, and we will reassess after the 12 months.

“I will see where I’m at but I am excited to be part of what’s happening here.

“You don’t know what’s guaranteed or around the corner.

“You have to keep your options open.”

Those options include coaching, with Reynolds confirming he is interested in post-football employment at the Broncos, following the lead of former skipper Darius Boyd, who now works on Brisbane’s coaching staff.

Boyd has played a role in the development of fullback Reece Walsh and Reynolds – one of the code’s sharpest minds – is keen to one day play a mentoring role for halves partner Ezra Mam and boom 17-year-old halfback Coby Black.

Reynolds is keen to play a mentoring role for boom 17-year-old halfback Coby Black. Picture, John Gass

When Reynolds first joined the Broncos from Souths at the start of 2022, his three-year deal was expected to represent his final contract, but the premiership playmaker has enjoyed a stunning renaissance at Red Hill.

The 274-game veteran, who turns 34 in July, is desperate to break Brisbane’s 18-year premiership drought over the next 24 months before he weighs up joining Kevin Walters’ coaching staff.

Reynolds revealed he has met with Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy to map out a career transition at Brisbane.

“It’s something to consider later down the track,” Reynolds said of a coaching role at the Broncos.

“It’s a tough process, I see what our coaches go through on a daily basis.

“I’m excited to see the next future of young Broncos come through.

“I have spoken to Dave (Donaghy) behind the scenes on what that looks like, being in a similar fashion to what ‘Darbs’ (Boyd) is doing at the moment.

“It’s exciting working with the young boys we have in this squad, you look further down the line to young Coby Black, he is a halfback with a lot of potential.

“I won’t be at a high level (of coaching) straight away, but I’m excited for what’s to come for my future here.

“I’m more concerned about my playing future at the moment.”

Reynolds concedes time is running out in his dream to deliver a Broncos title. Picture: Adam Head

Reynolds goes head-to-head with Roosters whiz Sam Walker, a halfback rival 12 years his junior, in Vegas on Sunday.

The Broncos desperately need Reynolds to stay fit this season to have any hope of clinching their first title since 2006 and the wily veteran says Brisbane’s rising stars have helped prolong his career.

“I was quite confident in myself getting through three years (after leaving Souths),” Reynolds said.

“Depending on how I was feeling mentally, if I was going to go another year or not, I was more than confident I would see out the three years.

“I have loved my time here and the team has made me younger.

“With the age group we have got, when you are having fun it makes your job a lot easier and keeps you young at heart.”

OFFICIAL: REYNOLDS’ NEW BRONCOS DEAL SHAMES SOUTH SYDNEY

Brisbane have continued their $5 million retention drive with champion skipper Adam Reynolds inking a new deal as he prepares to lead the Broncos into their historic NRL premiership clash in Las Vegas.

The Broncos have confirmed Reynolds is officially off the market after agreeing terms in a huge coup for Brisbane ahead of their departure to America on Thursday morning.

Originally off-contract this season, Brisbane’s talismanic halfback has signed on for another 12 months, ensuring Reynolds is on deck for 2025 as he looks to snap the Broncos’ 18-year premiership drought.

As part of Reynolds’ retention, Brisbane’s best No.7 since Allan Langer will eventually look to transition into a coaching role at the Broncos to help mentor young guns Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh in retirement.

But for now, Reynolds cannot see the finish line and heads to Brisbane’s week-long camp in Los Angeles with his future secure, primed to spearhead the Broncos to a round 1 victory over the Roosters at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

The Broncos wrapped up five-eighth sensation Mam on a five-year deal a fortnight and have also retained his senior halves partner Reynolds to ensure their scrumbase is settled for another two seasons.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters dismissed concerns about Reynolds’ advancing years, insisting the inspirational captain, who turns 34 in July, can be the man to deliver Brisbane’s first title since 2006.

“We all know what Reyno brings to our club – he is our leader and our general and he has made a huge impact in a short time here at the Broncos,” said Walters.

“He has made a home here in Brisbane with his family, and our supporters have really adopted him as one of their own – Reyno is very much one of ‘us’ now here in the Sunshine State.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Reyno running out to lead our team and helping bring out the best in our emerging talent, as well as continuing to do those things that only he can do with the ball in hand.”

With his recent drunken spat with teammate Pat Carrigan behind him, Reynolds is desperate to conquer his final frontier in rugby league — bringing the NRL trophy back to Broncos headquarters.

Reynolds won a premiership ring as a young playmaker at South Sydney in 2014, but a decade on, he would treasure snapping the longest title drought in Brisbane’s history as a senior leader.

That objective would be the perfect preamble to Reynolds moving into post-football employment at the Broncos for 2026 and beyond.

Adam Reynolds runs the ball. Picture: NRL Photos

Reynolds is renowned as one of the sharpest minds in rugby league and Broncos coach Walters believes he could be a valuable guiding presence for emerging playmakers Walsh, Mam and Jock Madden.

“Reyno is great going, he has lost some weight and he will be good again this year,” said his manager Steve Gillis.

“All the talk about Adam’s body at Souths was rumour and innuendo. Some people tried to discredit him, but Adam knows what he is capable of and he has shown that at the Broncos.

“It’s always been the plan to have Adam signed before the season.

“Reyno is aware the Broncos are building and they have young guys to retain.

“This deal won’t all be about money, it will be about playing on and helping the club and building for a better future.

Coach Kevin Walters. Picture: Lachie Millard

“He wants to win a premiership before he finishes and hopefully transition at the club after he has finished playing.

“He works hard, he looks after himself and he has plenty to give, so he will keep giving.”

The new deal will put Reynolds on course to surge past the 300-game mark and he would relish helping out Mam and Walsh in retirement.

“There’s a lot of these young boys coming through that I like to get around and upskill them,” he said.

“I could do that (NRL head coaching) down the track, but I know I have to learn my trade first once I get out of playing.

“It’s not as easy transitioning from player to head coaching straight away, but I would definitely love to jump into an assistant coach or development role and stay involved in the game in some way.

“I still study the game 24-7. I’m a footy nerd.

“I have a passion for the game and would love to pass on that knowledge.”