Ben Hunt joins NRL powerhouse in blockbuster move

Ben Hunt has finally made up his mind on his NRL future, joining one of the league’s biggest clubs in a blockbuster move.

Ben Hunt has signed with the Broncos. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Ben Hunt has reportedly signed with the Brisbane Broncos in a coup for the NRL powerhouse’s already stacked roster.

Hunt and St George Illawarra agreed to part ways last month after the Dragons wouldn’t offer the playmaker a multi-year extension beyond 2025.

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The Broncos emerged as the frontrunners to sign Hunt after the Canterbury Bulldogs pulled out of the race to secure his signature over the weekend.

Foxsports.com.au reports Hunt has signed a two-year deal worth around $600,000 per season to return to the Broncos.

Ben Hunt is joining the Broncos. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

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The Dolphins and Sydney Roosters were also in the mix for Hunt, but the 34-year-old reportedly called Kristian Woolf and Trent Robinson to inform them of his decision on Tuesday.

The signing is a major coup for the Broncos and new coach Michael Maguire, especially given five-eighth Ezra Mam could be suspended for a large chunk of the 2025 season for his offseason car accident.

Hunt returns to the Broncos seven years after his first stint at the club ended. He played in the Broncos’ golden point grand final loss in 2015.

It remains to be seen what position he plays for the Broncos. It’s likely he’ll fill in for fellow veteran halfback Adam Reynolds, while he could also replace Billy Walters at hooker.

On Monday Reynolds welcomed Hunt’s imminent arrival and the competition for the No. 7 jersey. Reynolds, 34, is out of contract at the end of 2025.

“No matter where you are if you’ve got competition in the squad it’s going to make you a better player,” he said.

“Ben would add to that if he did arrive here. He could make everyone else in the team better as well.”

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The NRL salary cap auditors will have to rubberstamp Hunt’s contract, which depends on his market value based on the offers he received.

Hunt’s previous deal with the Dragons for 2025 was worth $950,000, but the NRL will determine Hunt’s value based on how many offers he receives and an average of the monetary amounts to determine his market value.

NRL auditors have the power to place a nominal figure on Hunt and, for example, have him valued at $800,000 in Brisbane’s salary cap, even if the Broncos’ official deal is worth less.

According to Code Sports, Hunt was blown away by a tour of the club’s new $27 million training headquarters at Red Hill.

The Broncos sealed the deal by offering Hunt a job at the club once his football career is over.

The news comes a day after the Dragons recruited former Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias as Hunt’s replacement.

Ilias fell out of favour at Souths last season and missed most of the year after suffering a broken leg playing in reserve grade in April.

New recruits Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook will suit up for the Dragons in 2025.

Originally published as Ben Hunt joins NRL powerhouse in blockbuster move