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In a significant development for the Brisbane Broncos, team captain Adam Reynolds is reportedly preparing to retire, marking another tough moment for the club following the departure of star player Payne Haas to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
According to a report by The Daily Telegraph, the 35-year-old Reynolds has been contemplating the end of his professional career and is expected to retire after the 2026 NRL season.
Reynolds, a key figure in leading the Broncos to their triumphant premiership victory, which ended a 19-year drought in October, joined the team in 2022. Since then, he has become a pivotal player, making 78 appearances.
After the previous season, Reynolds expressed to Nine that his journey with the Broncos was still ongoing, stating that he hadn’t “closed his chapter just yet.”
“Every year that we take to the field, we go out there with the hope of winning the grand final,” Reynolds said, underscoring his continued dedication to the team.
‘This year will be no different. The goal will stay the same. We’ll make a decision on the future later down the track.
Veteran Brisbane Broncos playmaker Adam Reynolds (pictured) is reportedly set to announce that he will be retiring before the 2026 season
Reynolds joined the Broncos from South Sydney in 2022 and has gone on to make 78 appearances for the footy club, including leading Brisbane to end their 19-year premiership drought
‘There is still a year to play football. I am a year older and getting closer to the end – I don’t know when that will be.
‘We will see how the body holds up and how the mind is, then make a decision later on throughout the season.’
Reynolds had also hinted that he could be open to a move back to his old club South Sydney, but the veteran playmaker added that it would be ‘highly unlikely’.
Reynolds had considered playing on into his 16th season in 2027, but The Daily Telegraph claims that he has now ‘privately decided it’s time to go’ and will likely announce his plans to the public when the Broncos touch down in the UK for their World Club Challenge match against Hull KR, next week.
It comes after the Broncos put pen to paper on a deal to bring exciting young star Jonah Pezet to the club at the start of the 2027 season.
The talented 22-year-old, who made his top-flight debut with the Melbourne Storm back in 2023, looks to be Reynolds’ long-term successor in the half-back role. Pezet is due to spend the 2026 season with the Parramatta Eels before joining up with the Broncos at the start of the 2027 campaign.
Michael Maguire’s side will now also be on the lookout for new front-row options too, after the bombshell news that Haas will be leaving the club for the Rabbitohs emerged on Sunday.
Haas had been linked with moves away from the club for some time, with speculation mounting that he could even cross codes to play in the new breakaway R360 tournament.
Reynolds’ NRL career began with the South Sydney Rabbitohs back in 2012, with the half-back going on to win the NRL with the Bunnies in 2014
Reynolds had hinted that he could retire at the end of the 2025 season, with the Broncos star revealing that his decision on whether he’d play beyond 2026 would relate to his mental state
According to reports, the Bunnies are set to match Haas’ current $1.2million contract, with David Fifita and Latrell Mitchell both playing a role in luring Haas to the New South Wales club.
Haas, like Reynolds, will play through the 2026 season before joining up with the Bunnies on a three-year deal.
Reynolds, meanwhile, revealed at the end of the 2025 season that his decision to play on in 2027 would depend on his state of mind.
‘I think the mind’s the most important thing, whether it still wants to go another 12 months or if the body can handle it,’ Reynolds said.
‘I don’t know if I’ll be good enough to go around again in another 12 months. I may be, I may not. It’s always good to be wanted, but realistically, Brisbane’s home for me and it’d be tough to obviously leave this place.
‘We haven’t had those conversations with the club (about playing in 2027). We haven’t spoken any further than my return date and getting back into training.
‘We’ll know a bit more once the season kicks off.’
It is understood that the star playmaker wants to continue living in Queensland after his retirement.
And talk has begun to emerge that the dual premiership half-back could pursue a career in coaching.
It comes as the Broncos have suffered another major blow, with Payne Haas (pictured) set to leave the club in 2026 and join the Rabbitohs
Haas (right) will join the Bunnies on a three-year deal, with the Souths set to match his $1.2million contractÂ
His coach, Maguire, has even touted a move for the 35-year-old to join up with the Broncos staff after he hangs up his boots.
‘I’d like ‘Reyno’ to be part of our coaching staff,’ Maguire told Code Sports recently.
‘It all depends on Reyno’s path and what he wants to achieve down the track, but I think Reyno can definitely be a head coach.
‘He has the great nature of being able to help people, he cares for his players, he knows the game inside-out so, in time, he can move into coaching for sure.
‘Coaching to playing is a lot different. There’s a lot more that goes into coaching than most people see, but Reyno does have the attributes to do it.
‘We will definitely be exploring that space.
‘Reyno will be great working with our young playmakers and even with game planning.
‘He has a great eye and the ability to break teams down and educate players. He is doing that all the time now.’
Reynolds added: ‘The eventual goal is to become an NRL head coach.
Michael Maguire (pictured) has previously spoken of how he wants Reynolds to stay with the Broncos and work as a coach
Reynolds (left) has also spoken on his coaching ambitions, stating that he ‘wants to help other players’Â
‘I love the game. I love football. I love seeing my teammates have success and be happy.
‘I got to experience that a couple of weeks ago (winning a premiership) and I can only imagine what that is like as a head coach.
‘They get to have their blueprint all over the game plan. They get to teach young men how to be great footballers and better people.
‘I’ve had some amazing coaches along the way and if I can draw inspiration and experiences from them, I want to be in a position where I can help players one day as well.’