Reece Walsh slaps down $5.5 million bombshell NRL development in bitter Broncos blow

Broncos superstar Reece Walsh has raised some eyebrows in the NRL world after he swiftly slapped down reports he re-signed with the club on a mega $5.5 million contract. Walsh has been at the centre of speculation over a new mega-deal at the Broncos for months.

Walsh pocketed around $450,000 in 2023 on his current contract, but the Broncos know they will have to offer him a huge contract extension to keep him in the No.1 jersey for the club. There have been calls for the club to make Walsh the highest paid player in their history with the 21-year-old fullback quickly becoming the face of the NRL after just one season at the Broncos.

No Broncos player has ever earned more than $1.1 million a season. And on Tuesday evening, The Courier Mail reported Walsh had signed for five years on a deal worth $5.5 million.

This would make Walsh the youngest ever $1 million player in the NRL and keep him at the club until 2029. He would also be on the biggest contract the Broncos have ever handed out. However, reports appeared premature. Walsh took to social media on Wednesday night and slapped down claims he had signed a deal to stay with the Broncos.

"Don't believe everything you read. No deal has been signed," he wrote. Accompanying the caption was a photo of his daughter and himself poking their tongue out.

In another photo, Walsh wrote: "I'm doin me. I'l let you know when something happens." There is no indication that Walsh is leaving the Broncos for another club. The deal might be ready to sign, but Walsh hasn't put pen to paper.

Despite this, it isn't out of the equation Walsh could demand more from another club with his prodigious talent hard to deny. There are reports other clubs are willing to pay up to $1.3 million for his signature. And his move to quell reports about him signing a new mega-deal certainly had the NRL world in a spin.

Ezra Mam extends stay with the Broncos

The Brocnos are trying retain Walsh having just re-signed star Ezra Mam. The five-eighth signed a five-year deal, which will reportedly see the 21-year-old receive upwards of $4 million.

The Broncos confirmed Mam's extension in February. "He's our Mam. Ezra extends until 2029," the social media post read. Initial reports suggested the deal for Mam was worth around $3 million dollars but The Courier Mail reports the contract is worth more than $4 million. With Payne Haas already signed, Pat Carrigan is also set to sign a long-term deal at the Broncos. The club is looking to secure their future for the next five years in a huge warning sign to the rest of the NRL.

Reece Walsh injury a bitter blow to the Broncos

Walsh will be spending the next four to six weeks on the sidelines for the Broncos after suffering a fractured eye socket in the clash against the Panthers. The controversial incident saw Penrith star Taylan May rush out of the line to tackle the fullback, but accidentally collided heads with Walsh.

The match review committee reviewed the incident and decided that no charges would be laid against May, in a decision that angered Brisbane coach Kevin Walters and many fans. Follow-up scans later revealed the 21-year-old suffered a facial fracture and will out of action between 4-6 weeks.