Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Ben Hunt Broncos extension talks have added fresh tension to Brisbane’s long-term halves picture, with the veteran playmaker reportedly set to sign for another year in 2027.
Hunt had been expected by some to finish up alongside Adam Reynolds at the end of 2026, but his likely new deal could create a three-way fight with Jonah Pezet and Thomas Duffy for the Broncos No.7 jersey.
The roster debate comes after a busy contract period across rugby league, including NRL Signings Tracker: Greg Marzhew, Sunia Turuva and Jake Clifford Lead Busy Contract Wave, while official fixtures and updates are available through the National Rugby League website.
Hunt Wants Halfback Role
The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel said on NRL 360 that Hunt is expected to extend his stay in Brisbane.
“The word that I’ve got is he’ll be doing a new deal with the Broncos in the coming weeks,” Badel said on NRL 360.
“This is massive. He was expected to retire at the end of this season a bit like Adam Reynolds.
“Reynolds caught the Broncos off guard last year when he said he wanted to go for another season. They had to juggle the salary cap to accommodate him.
“Now Ben Hunt says, I want to go on another 12 months. He’ll be 37 next year.”
Salary Cap Question Emerges
Badel said he was surprised Hunt did not choose to retire after winning a premiership with Brisbane in 2025.
“I’m a little bit stunned,” Badel said.
“I think it would have been the right time for Ben to go this year, but it now creates a real salary cap headache because they’re going to have to find another 12 months and $500,000 for Ben Hunt.”
Brent Read argued the Broncos should not pay that figure if Hunt is no longer their starting halfback.
“They can’t pay him that, they can’t because for me, Ben Hunt now at this point in his career, he’s a bench player,” Read said.
Pezet and Duffy in the Mix
Pezet will arrive in 2027 on a three-year deal after his stint with Parramatta Eels, while Duffy has already had first grade exposure.
Read said Brisbane invested in Pezet as a long-term halfback and should start him in 2027.
Badel questioned whether Pezet or Duffy are ready to replace Reynolds, given their limited NRL experience.
That leaves coach Michael Maguire with a major call to make as Brisbane balance experience, salary cap pressure and the next stage of their spine.