“You hear all those things and see it all out there, but I’m just letting Payne do his thing,” Staggs said.
“Whatever he picks, I’ll be there to support him and whatever he goes to do.
“What he’s done in this game is massive given how old he is as well, what he’s done every week in a Broncos jersey, he left it in a good way if he does leave.”
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Haas is not due back to preseason training until the new year, having partaken in Samoa’s charge to the Pacific Championship final, and Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy insisted they would not launch comprehensive extension talks with their star middle until he returned.
“Payne knows how we feel. We’d love for Payne to stay. He’ll take his time to work his way through it, there’s no set timeline for us to do that,” Donaghy said.
“He’s had a big year, and I’m sure he wants to take a bit of time and reflect on what was an amazing 2025.
“When he gets back, we’ll have those conversations.”
The money on offer could prove too tempting for Haas, particularly given he has a young family, with younger brothers – Hans and Geejay – also living with him.
But an unwillingness to uproot his family, with Hans and Geejay linked to the Broncos’ junior development academy, could be a factor, as could the chance to build a legacy to rival that of the club’s 1990s dominance – winning five premierships between 1992 and 2000.
Kotoni Staggs brings the power and passion for Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s up to this particular group if they want to create their own era,” Broncos board member and four-time premiership-winner Darren Lockyer said.
“We always talk about the ’90s for the Broncos, well, there’s an opportunity for this team to do the same – that’s up to them.
“We love Payne and what he’s done for the club over the years. He’s been a big part of the club, and we hope he stays.”
Brisbane’s success coincided with representative honours, as superstar fullback Reece Walsh and Gehamat Shibasaki garnered Kangaroos debuts in the 3-0 Ashes series triumph in England.
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Staggs also completed his comeback to the green and gold jersey, having opted to represent Australia over Tonga.
With the Rugby League World Cup coming to Australia next year, Staggs hinted that the national colours he would don would hinge on the future of Kangaroos coach, and former Broncos mentor, Kevin Walters, who was only signed for the Ashes campaign.
“Playing back with Kev was good. We’ve got a good relationship and I love being alongside him and being coached by him. But also, if Kev stays in that role I don’t see myself anywhere else,” Staggs said.