NRL 2025: Parramatta Eels legend Brett Kenny slams Dylan Brown’s $1.2 million asking price

Parramatta legend Brett Kenny has declared Dylan Brown is not worth his $1.2 million asking price and has called for the Eels official who allowed the get-out clauses in his contract to be sacked.

Parramatta’s greatest five-eighth, Brett Kenny, has a sobering pre-season message for current Eels No. 6 Dylan Brown – you’re not worth $1.2m a season.

“He won’t get too many offers at that price,” Kenny said.

Kenny, who helped Parramatta to win four premiership through the 1980s, has declared Brown should be paid $800,000 annually – $400,000 short than his alleged asking price.

And Kenny has called on Parramatta to sack the club official who inserted multiple ongoing get-out clauses into Brown’s long-term contract.

Through his contract clauses, Brown has until round 10 this season to negotiate with rival clubs and will enjoy the same powers over the next two seasons.

Reports have emerged stating Brown’s management is seeking a contract worth $1.2m a season.

Kenny stressed that superstars like Nathan Cleary and Cam Munster could command $1.2m a season – not Brown.

Parramatta’s greatest five-eighth, Brett Kenny, says Dylan Brown is worth $400k less than his asking price of $1.2m a season. Picture: Getty Images

While Kenny wants Brown to remain an Eel, he did say: “I honestly don’t think he is worth $1.2m, which seems to be his asking price. To me, he hasn’t done enough yet to prove he’s worth $1.2m a year.

“I don’t know what he’s on now but he’s played for his country so I think he’s worth around $800,000 – not $1.2m. He still needs to prove himself more at club level.

“For me, Cameron Munster, who plays in the same position, and Nathan Cleary are $1.2m players. They have proven themselves.

“I don’t know whether he was told to play the way he did under (former coach) Brad Arthur but he never seemed to do enough with the ball.

“There wasn’t a lot of variety in his play. He had a big bloke like Shaun Lane outside him and could have used him a lot better.

“(Brown) needs a few more quality seasons and, if he can do that, sure, then you can look at $1.2m. I read someone that Brown had a better season than Munster and was rated in the top five-eighths in the competition.

“I don’t know whether that was right.

“But defensively he was outstanding, you couldn’t complain about his defence. People say he has played for New Zealand but we’re talking about club footy here.”

Parramatta has refused a request to increase his current deal – which is said to be worth somewhere between $750,000 and $900,000 – to remove the round ten get-out clause.

Kenny says Brown is still yet to prove himself at club level for Parramatta. Pic: NRL

Kenny questioned why Brown was signed to such an epic eight-year contract, which doesn’t end until 2031 – and asked who included the get-out clauses.

“I don’t know who the hell did it but whoever came up with the agreement which (stated Brown) could pull whenever he wants should be sacked,” Kenny said.

“The clauses Brown and Mitchell Moses have in their contracts … who (allowed) it should be sacked. Get rid of them. You don’t let the players do this.

“Signing him to 2031, we’re only just into 2025. That’s another six years away. Good luck to him but why would you sign a bloke that long? Three years only …”

Kenny said Brown owed Parramatta after the club’s support over a sexual touching without consent charge back in 2023. Brown was ultimately suspended for seven games.

“Parramatta stuck by him and he should pay that back to them. If I was him, I’d be looking to stay at Parramatta,” Kenny said.

Newcastle has been exposed as a club willing to table a six-year, $6m a season offer to 24-year-old Brown.