Andrew Johns staggered as Reece Walsh loses $1 million in contract ‘steal’

Reece Walsh has reportedly shaken hands on a new contract with details emerging that have left Andrew Johns staggered.

Andrew Johns and Reece Walsh.

Reece Walsh has reportedly shaken hands on a $5 million contract extension with the Broncos.

The star fullback’s contract saga has dragged on for 12 months, but the Broncos have reportedly sealed a deal that has raised eyebrows.

It is a coup for the Broncos to pull it off before the November 1 deadline that would have allowed rival clubs to begin negotiating with Walsh.

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NRL legend Andrew Johns described the deal as a “steal” for the Broncos.

As first reported by The Courier Mail, Walsh has signed with the Broncos through to the end of the 2029 season.

Heading into the 2025 season on an underpriced salary of $600,000, Walsh’s new deal will be worth $4.4 million ($1.1m per season) across the final four years of the extension.

It makes Walsh the highest-paid player in the history of the club — but the livewire 22-year-old could easily have got more.

It was reported as early as March that Walsh’s camp were asking for a $6 million deal — and the Broncos were preparing to meet the asking price.

Reece Lightning. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

The $5 million figure shows Walsh has been prepared to lose $1 million in order to stay with his teammates.

According to Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater, Walsh could easily have attracted richer offers, worth upwards of $1.3 million per-year.

“I think it’s a great deal for the Broncos,” Slater said on Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show.

“I think it’s really good for Reece too. He’s close to his family. He’s settled in Brisbane. He could have got another $200k to 300k a year somewhere else, but he wants to play for the Broncos. I think it’s a great deal all round for everyone.”

Johns was also surprised by the money involved.

“It’s a steal. It’s an absolute steal. If he stays on the field,” Johns said.

NRL legend Brad Fittler also said: “From the Broncos’ point of view, it’s a bargain.”

Andrew Johns and Reece Walsh.

Slater earlier said: “He’s 22 years old and played 75 NRL games - the next 125 games will be with the Broncos and that will be the best period of his career.

“I’ve worked closely with Reece, he’s got a great work ethic. He’s a very respectful young man - he has got a perception out there that he’s a bit of a larrikin and likes the limelight, but he works really hard and he loves the game of footy.

“The great thing for the Broncos is that you’ve got this young star who wants to be a Bronco — imagine how many clubs out there would love Reece Walsh.”

Walsh was the final piece in the Broncos’ retention puzzle after the club earlier re-signed Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas to new contracts.

However, the club had a miserable time on the field this season, failing to make the finals after falling agonisingly short against the Panthers in the 2023 Grand Final.

The heat will be on coach Kevin Walters and “Reece Lightning” in 2025.