Johns: The club that should sign Te’o after Broncos exit

With Ben Te’o no longer at the Broncos, Matty Johns has named the side that should sign him to their coaching staff immediately.

Despite winning their first game for 2026 last week, the noise around the reigning premiers has only gotten louded after the 39-year-old’s resignation from the side.

The news, which was confirmed by the club on Tuesday, raised plenty of questions about his relationship with head coach Michael Maguire, with an alleged disagreement prompting the assistant coach’s decision.

Following Te'o's departure, it has created even more speculation on where Te’o’s future lies.

One of the options reportedly available to the Broncos’ former defence coach is working under his former coach, Wayne Bennett, at South Sydney from 2027.

But Johns believes that the Broncos’ rivals in the North Queensland Cowboys should make a play for the former second rower to assist under fire coach Todd Payten.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up at North Queensland in the short term,” Johns explained on SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.

“Maybe eventually at Souths (but) it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they get him at North Queensland now.

“Because if you’ve got a club (that’s) got one big issue (with defence), it’s North Queensland.

“The Cowboys have just got so much talent with the football.

“(But) defensively, they’re reluctant defenders to say the least.”

If Te’o is to join Payten’s coaching staff, he would certainly have his work cut out for him.

During the 2025 season, the Cowboys conceded 684 points (28.5 per game), which was the second worst within the league.

Those defensive struggles have continued into the first three games of the season, with the side currently conceding 29.33 points per match.

They face the Melbourne Storm on Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Kick off is at 7:35pm AEDT.