It’s been a shocker of a 24 hours for Brisbane Broncos fans after Payne Haas signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday and captain Adam Reynolds confirmed on Monday he’s decided 2026 will be his last season before retiring. Reynolds announced at the club’s season launch on Monday that this year will be his 15th and last in the NRL.
The 35-year-old has played 309 NRL games heading into the 2026 season, winning two premierships – one with Souths and one with Brisbane. Reynolds is only contracted for the 2026 season, but stated after the premiership triumph last year that he might opt to keep playing in 2027. But that won’t come to fruition, with the halfback informing Broncos teammates and fans on Monday that 2026 will be his swansong.
Payne Haas (R) is heading to South Sydney, while Adam Reynolds (L) has reportedly decided to retire at the end of 2026. Image: Getty
The Broncos have Jonah Pezet arriving in 2027 after a one-year stint with Parramatta. With Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh, he’ll form one of the best young spines in the NRL.
Reynolds played 231 games for the Rabbitohs from 2012 to 2021, helping the Bunnies win the 2014 premiership. He’s been one of the most influential signings in Broncos history, turning them from a rabble when he arrived into premiership winners.
The Broncos will farewell both Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas at the end of 2026.
(Getty Images)Payne Haas quits Broncos to join Rabbitohs
The news about Reynolds retiring came just hours after it was revealed that Haas will join former coach Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs on a three-year deal from 2027. He’ll reportedly be on $1.2 million per season at Souths, which is believed to be the same as what the Broncos were offering.
Haas was all-but heading to R360 until the rebel rugby competition had to delay by two years. What his three-year deal with South Sydney means for his future away from the NRL remains to be seen.
Souths announced on Sunday they’d lodged a signed contract with the NRL, and are now in the 10-day cooling-off period. It appears unlikely the Broncos will try to convince Haas to stay, saying in a statement: “Haas and his management have advised the Broncos that he intends to depart the club at the end of the 2026 season”.
Bennett previously coached Haas at the Broncos and convinced him not to sign with the Melbourne Storm as a teenager. Haas is close with David Fifita, who previously played for the Broncos and joined South Sydney this off-season.
Rabbitohs legend Ron Coote told AAP it was a massive signing coup for the club. “He’s a good catch for South Sydney. Payne is a great player,” Coote said. “Wayne needs some more troops in the middle of the field and Payne will be good for him. Wayne knows his players well and will give Payne all the direction he needs.”