Brisbane Broncos representative star Payne Haas is on the record suggesting he doesn't want to leave Red Hill.
Brisbane is home for Haas. That much is fairly clear.
But money talks, salary cap pressures bite, and with the new Saudi Arabian-backed Rugby 360 competition also reportedly talking to his management, what looked like a possible sure thing - Haas staying in Brisbane - looks less and less like it by the week.
Off-contract at the end of 2026, the Brisbane Broncos still have exclusive negotiating rights for the star until November 1 this year, but then, it'll be open slather.
The Broncos are unable to make any traction on a deal while they are still alive in the competition, and then will have just a matter of weeks to sort things out with Haas.
He is, without doubt, the best prop in the game.
If he gets to November 1, then anyone with the cash and in need of a forward pack leader is going to want to put an offer on the table for the star.
That'll include the Perth Bears who have a blank cheque book, but there are other clubs who could easily turn Haas into the game's highest-paid player.
It's something the Broncos won't be able to do given the other big-money deals they have for players, led by he seven-figure contract for Reece Walsh.
Haas is already on that seven-figure mark, but increasing from the low to mid one million dollar value is unlikely to be in Brisbane's plans.
So, if Haas does decide it's time for a shake-up, where will he land?
We look at all 16 other clubs, as well as the Perth Bears, and rate the chance.
2. Unlikely to make an offer
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have had an excellent campaign in 2025, and are building nicely for the future as well.
Despite letting Trey Mooney head to the Newcastle Knights, with Josh Papalii re-signed but likely to retire at the end of 2026, Ricky Stuart's side still have a strong group of middles already set to head into 2027.
As it stands, Corey Horsburgh, Matty Nicholson and Joseph Tapine are all locked up for the years to come.
The value of Tapine's deal alone - believed to be just short of the million dollar mark - likely makes it unfeasible for the Raiders to make a play.
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights need Payne Haas like a majority of the population need a coffee in the morning.
The Hunter-based club need a forward leader.
Unfortunately for them, they have made Dylan Brown the most expensive player in the game from the start of 2026, and also have Kalyn Ponga soaking up seven figures of their salary cap.
That ultimately means the cash they'd need for Haas - likely overs - is not going to be available.
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters have money available for 2027 - of that there is no doubt.
But they will likely turn their attention towards players already at the club who have done an excellent job in 2025 standing up for a side who, realistically, had no right to make the top eight but did so anyway.
Add that to some of the guys who will come through their system - led by the Va'a brothers - in the coming years, and it's a fairly reasonable assumption that the tri-colours won't seriously look at Haas.
Wests Tigers
The Tigers would certainly weigh up making an offer for Haas, but it's also unlikely they'd have the money to take it seriously, given they'd have to pay overs to attract him to the club.
Terrell May is now the forward pack leader, while they have shelled out significant coin on Jarome Luai.
The five-eighth still has those player options as part of his deal, so things could change, but there are upgrades going to be needed for junior talent over the next 12 months at Concord, so Haas seems an unlikely prospect.
