Reece Walsh's $2 million NRL decision comes to light amid Broncos development

Broncos superstar Reece Walsh has been praised for his "really smart decision" to stay at Brisbane beyond this season. The fullback is understood to have agreed to terms on a five-year extension worth $1.1 million per season with the Broncos instead of testing his value on the open market.

The 21-year-old could have reportedly brought in close to $1.5 million per season from rival clubs, meaning his decision to stay in Queensland could cost him around $2 million. However, NRL 360's James Hooper says Walsh's decision is a smart one as he believes staying at Brisbane will earn him more money over the course of his career.

"I think if Reece Walsh goes to the open market there’s no question some of the lower ranked sides would be prepared to pay $1.5m per season," Hooper said. "But we’ve often spoken about the fact that sometimes as a player you are prepared to accept to stay in a good system and be a chance of winning a premiership.

"Let’s also not forget that he is such a rock star off the field that there are going to be companies lined up to have Reece Walsh signed to endorse things, so he’s going to make plenty of money off the field and when you balance it all out it’s a good deal for everyone."

Fellow NRL 360 panellist Paul Kent agreed, saying the new contract with the Broncos is a good deal for everyone. "I think the Broncos have done a particularly good deal to get him for that, but the real upside is this," Kent said.

"I’ve seen guys take money to go to other clubs and they’ve gone to place where the system doesn’t suit their footy or the strength of the squad is not what they’re used to playing in and they don’t quite get to the mark of one of what they’re being paid to do but two of what their own expectations are of their own performance. And while that contract is a great one, the next one is not as great because what they’ve done is they’ve damaged their reputation as a player because they haven’t been able to deliver at the new club on their massive contract.

"Reece Walsh is a young man and we would all agree has his best football ahead of him and is at a club that suits his footy, so take a little bit less to stay at the club where everything is in the right aspect for him as far as lifestyle, style of footy, direction of the club, it’s a really smart decision from Reece Walsh to stay."

Reece Walsh denies talks he has signed a new deal at the Broncos

The Broncos fullback raised some eyebrows around the NRL world after slapping down reports he re-signed with the club on a mega $5.5 million contract on Wednesday. Walsh currently pockets around $450,000 a season on his current deal and the Broncos were fully aware they had to offer him a huge contract extension to keep him in the No.1 jersey for the club.

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On Tuesday evening, The Courier Mail reported Walsh had signed for five years on a deal worth $5.5 million, making Walsh the youngest ever $1 million player in the NRL. However, Walsh took to social media on Wednesday night to dispute 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 picture with his daughter, with the pair poking their tongues out. In another photo, Walsh wrote: "I'm doin me. I'l let you know when something happens." Yahoo Sport Australia understands that while a deal is agreed between both parties, Walsh has yet to officially sign on the dotted line, although it is widely understood that the deal will be signed at some point this season.