Jock Madden, Martin Taupau and Fletcher Baker headline Broncos roster clean-out

With Adam Reynolds laughing off suggestions that he would take a pay cut to stay at the Broncos, Brisbane chiefs know they need to make deep cuts elsewhere - these are the names on the chopping block.

It is the $1 million roster clean-out set to keep champion skipper Adam Reynolds at the Broncos.

This masthead can reveal at least three players, including halfback Jock Madden, are in the firing line as Brisbane finetune their salary cap to extend Reynolds’ career at the Broncos.

Reynolds goes into Sunday’s Magic Round clash against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium off-contract at season’s end, having advised Broncos bosses of his desire to shelve retirement plans and play on in 2026.

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Broncos board member Darren Lockyer said a fortnight ago the club hadn’t budgeted for Reynolds to play another 12 months, prompting Brisbane chiefs to explore ways to free-up space in the salary cap to afford their most important player.

The Broncos have 13 top-liners off-contract at season’s end - almost half their full-time squad - giving Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention committee flexibility to release players to prevent Reynolds testing his value on the open market.

It is understood Reynolds’ halfback understudy Madden is fighting for his future at the Broncos, while forward duo Fletcher Baker and Martin Taupau are free agents and unlikely to secure new deals.

The trio’s combined contract value is just shy of $1 million, crucial funds in the salary-cap that could seal Reynolds’ future at Brisbane.

The Broncos have come under fire in recent weeks following Reynolds’ revelation in this masthead that he wanted to play on next season, with critics questioning how Brisbane can possibly afford him in an already stacked squad.

But the Broncos can achieve it by culling players and the likes of Madden, Taupau and Baker are dispensable commodities at a time when Reynolds, at age 34, is at the peak of his powers.

Reynolds’ original three-year Broncos deal, signed in 2021, was worth $800,000 annually, which was reduced to around $550,000 when he inked a 12-month extension to remain at Red Hill this year.

The NRL’s salary-cap auditor would be unlikely to register a new deal as low as $300,000, but Reynolds could remain on his current salary if Brisbane hierarchy make some tough calls on their roster.

Speaking on the eve of Sunday’s grand-final rematch against the Panthers, Reynolds said he is physically and mentally capable of playing in 2026, laughing off suggestions of another wage reduction.

Adam Reynolds is letting his good form speak for itself in contract negotiations. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m already taking a pay cut,” he said with a smirk as he prepares to face Panthers maestro Nathan Cleary.

“There’s a lot of people who have said I should retire.

“I suppose it depends who you ask (whether he should play on).

“I’m enjoying myself and when you are enjoying yourself you surround yourself with good people.

“You tend to be in a happy place and when you are happy you play good footy.

“I’m loving my time at the moment at the Broncos. I’m just going to keep doing my job and see what comes of it.

“I understand where I am at in my career. That (a new deal for 2026) will look after itself in the future.”

The Broncos signed Madden in 2023 as a possible successor to Reynolds, but since the off-season signing of marquee recruit Ben Hunt, the former Wests Tigers playmaker has not played a minute of NRL so far this season.

Madden’s management has received expressions of interest from Super League clubs and it’s understood the Broncos will agree to an early release if the 25-year-old can secure his future elsewhere.

Contracted until the end of 2026, Madden’s salary rises to around $400,000 next season, funds that can be redirected towards Reynolds if he is not at Red Hill in 2026.

Madden’s management are mindful of the halfback languishing for too long in the Hostplus Cup at a critical stage of his career.

Madden has won six of his 15 games for the Broncos since his 2023 debut for the club but is stuck behind Reynolds, Hunt and Ezra Mam in the playmaking pecking order at Red Hill.

Baker, signed from the Roosters at the end of 2023 to fill the Tom Flegler void, has failed to inspire. The hulking prop managed just 12 games last season, six as a starter, and hasn’t been used this season by new Broncos coach Michael Maguire.

Taupau has been more successful than Baker, but the former Kiwi international turns 36 in February and is headed for retirement.

At a time when premiership playmakers are thin on the ground, Reynolds could earn upwards of $700,000 on the open market, but Broncos forward Pat Carrigan urged Brisbane to stave off poaching bids.

“I hope he goes on,” Carrigan said.

“He was a big part of the culture shift that was brought to our club.

“It’s not just his jovial manner, but it’s professionalism and his love for game. A lot of us here have learnt from Reyno.

Jock Madden has another year left on his contract but the Broncos are keen to offload him. Picture: Getty Images

“Let’s just say he won’t be short of suitors but I hope he is still playing for us next year.

“I have seen enough things in footy to not begrudge ‘Reyno’ if he left, but I’d love to see him finish his career in a Broncos jersey.”

Superstar fullback Reece Walsh said Reynolds, who plays his 296th NRL game on Sunday, can play beyond his 35th birthday in 2026 after his masterclass against the Bulldogs last week.

“Reyno showed last week the way he played, he has plenty of running and miles in those legs,” Walsh said.

“He is doing everything he can to put his best foot forward for us.”

Reynolds’ halfback duel with Cleary on Sunday will be one of the highlights of Magic Round.

The Broncos skipper was blamed for failing to steer his side to victory in the 2023 grand final against the Panthers after leading 24-8, but Reynolds says he is not scarred by Brisbane’s Homebush collapse.

“That is in the past,” he said of Brisbane’s 26-24 grand-final loss.

“Penrith are a great team and you’ve got to admire what they have done.

“You learn from certain things in your career and that was certainly a lesson for me and the rest of the team.

“We know next time we are in that position we will be a lot better for it.

“Hopefully we can get back there (to this year’s grand final) and face that same challenge.”