Kevin Walters claims Payne Haas ‘will be a Bronco for life’ after rejecting NFL offer

Kevin Walters has no problem with Payne Haas testing his worth in the NRL market, adamant the star Brisbane prop will still choose to stay at Red Hill.

Haas’ protracted contract talks will drag on after the 23-year-old’s manager confirmed he will enter the open market on November 1.

It comes after Haas sought a release from the Broncos last season as the NSW propeller saw no competitive future with the club.

But Brisbane, who beat Canterbury 44-24 on Saturday, can boast an NRL-best 12 wins from 17 matches and now have a real chance to break a 17-year title drought.

Haas’ manager Ahmad Merhi told AAP that Brisbane ‘ticked all the boxes’ as every other NRL club had expressed a desire to negotiate with him, while also receiving interest from European rugby and an NFL franchise.

The Brisbane star (right) will enter the NRL open market on November 1

“We don’t normally like to talk about contracted players in that space, but I will say this, I believe he will stay with the Broncos,” Walters said.

You don’t have to be Einstein to think that everyone would be interested in Payne.

“We’re comfortable with the position, which Payne is doing.

“My thoughts are personal that Payne will be a Bronco for life.

“We have a great environment here, Payne knows we want him to stay here and he knows he loves being here.

“I’m sure we can make an agreement between both parties that we’re both happy with.”

Out of contract at the end of 2024, Haas has often spoken of his desire to emulate five-time premiership winning Glenn Lazarus.

Last year with the Broncos, his management sought a release as NSW propeller Haas did not see a competitive future at the club.

Haas has attracted interest from Rugby Australia, European rugby clubs and the NFL

The 23-year-old wanted to leave the Broncos last year, but ended up staying at Red Hill

“Payne wants to be on a competitive team and he wants to be competitive week in, week out,” Merhi told AAP.

‘At the moment we will definitely go until November 1. Payne’s concerns [last year] were about playing on a team that performs and brings out the best of their career on the playing field.

“Brisbane ticks all the boxes with what they do competitively and what they do as a group.

“You understand where his frustrations were last year. This is the first year in five seasons in the NRL that he has reached semi-finals.’