The Payne Haas contract and free agency juggernaut rolls on as the star forward looks set to reject the Brisbane Broncos' mammoth three-year, $3.3 million extension.
For not the first time in his young career, Haas is continually flirting with the prospect of testing the free agency market in order to secure a bigger deal than currently being offered.
The 23-year-old is in the midst of a career-best season and is now the runaway favourite to takeout the Dally M Medal but is having his season plagued by constant rumours of his next contract.
With Brisbane flying high in second and destined for a Grand Final appearance, Broncos’ legend Corey Parker revealed his fears that the saga could affect the team’s performances on the field.
“I just think the optics are looking worse and worse for Payne Haas, he’s an incredible player, he’s a once-in-a-generation type player,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“But when you come out and continually move the goal post… we’ve got to remember at Suncorp Stadium, the fans booed Payne Haas when he requested a million dollars or a release, what’s this going to look like now?
“It has the potential to potentially derail their season if it turns bad or sour for whatever reason, I don’t think that’ll be the case.”
Brisbane coach Kevvie Walters adamantly stated last weekend that Haas would re-sign with the club within the next three weeks, eliminating any talk of his departure during the finals series.
“When the management now comes out and rejects the offer that has been put forward to him after an extension and upgrade, so much so that he’ll be the highest-paid player in the Broncos' history, it doesn’t look good,” Parker added.
Haas’ management rejecting the contract extension all but confirms he will hit free agency come November 1st where he will be eligible to sign for any rival club for the 2025 NRL season.