Brisbane Broncos 2025 captain: Adam Reynolds not guaranteed the job under Michael Maguire

Adam Reynolds and Michael Maguire have a more than decade-long NRL premiership relationship, but that doesn’t mean Brisbane’s new coach isn’t about to shake-up the Broncos’ captaincy.

Adam Reynolds and Michael Maguire at broncos training. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Adam Reynolds has a month to save his captaincy job at the Broncos after new coach Michael Maguire refused to guarantee he won’t shake up Brisbane’s leadership structure.

Reynolds has hit the ground running in pre-season training ahead of what could be his final campaign in the NRL next year.

At 34, the former Blues Origin halfback is in the twilight of his career and struggled with injuries last season that limited him to 13 games.

Reynolds’ captaincy came under scrutiny amid Brisbane’s crash from grand finalists to 12th, but former coach Kevin Walters guaranteed he would remain skipper while he was at the club.

However Walters’ departure in September has thrown open the door for a potential new captain to take charge at Red Hill.

Kangaroos forward Pat Carrigan will officially report for pre-season training on Monday week and is viewed as the heir apparent. Home grown product Ben Hunt is also returning to the club after captaining St George Illawarra.

If Maguire made a change, Reynolds could mentor his successor for a year before his likely retirement.

Adam Reynolds and Michael Maguire at broncos training. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Reynolds is still favourite to retain the role, but Maguire said he would assess all options with the view of making a decision early in the New Year.

“Reyno is really healthy which is pleasing,” Maguire said.

“He had some bumps and bruises through the year, but he has worked really hard on his body. I am happy with where he is at.

“He was told a long time ago he wouldn’t be able to play week in, week out, but Reyno has definitely showed his toughness. There’s no reason he can’t get through this season in good shape if he does the work, which he is doing.

“He is such a tough warrior. He loves playing footy and, as I learned at Souths, when Reyno is up and about, he gets the team buzzing.

“If we get his body right, he can have a big year for us. I know he can withstand the weekly grind. I see a real steel about him at the moment.

“As a captain he has had to go through a bit and he’s copped some stick, but he will be out there showing exactly who he is when he’s playing.

“We will discuss (the captaincy). Reyno is a leader. I’ve had a lot of great experiences with Reyno but we want some more.

“How that leadership and captaincy of the team looks, we will discuss that throughout January.

“There’s some things I will be doing with the team but he is a very good leader.”

Despite criticism from former Broncos captain Gorden Tallis, Reynolds has remained steadfast in his desire to lead Brisbane.

Reynolds and Maguire combined in 2014 to snap South Sydney’s 43-year premiership drought and now they’re hoping to do the same in Brisbane given the Broncos haven’t won an NRL title since 2006.

When asked last week if he wanted to captain the Broncos in 2025, Reynolds said: “I am more than happy to keep captaining this great club.

“If someone wants to go in a different direction, that’s their choice, but I’m more than happy to continue in that role.”