Corey Parker delivers $1 million Selwyn Cobbo reality to Broncos after Reece Walsh deal
The Brisbane Broncos might have a huge decision to make on two star players.
Corey Parker has addressed the speculation surrounding the exit of Selwyn Cobbo as the Broncos great admitted Brisbane have a huge decision to make as Reece Walsh's $5 million deal remains pending. Speculation the North Queensland Cowboys could be a destination for Cobbo have piqued the interest of NRL fans with Valentine Holmes and Kyle Feldt both departing. Cobbo could a direct replacement for Holmes if the Cowboys choose to pursue the 22-year-old.
The Cowboys would presumably have plenty of space in their salary cap and former coach Kevin Walters admitted Cobbo or Kotoni Staggs might have to take a pay cut to remain at the Broncos. This comes as reports suggest Walsh has agreed to sign a huge $5 million deal with the club.
Walsh's deal would make him the highest-paid player in the club's history, but it makes sense with Peter V'landys coming out on Monday to claim the fullback's marketing power is arguably the biggest in the game. This is aside from his special talent and State of Origin status at 22 years old.
And after tying down Payne Haas and Ezra Mam for a number of years on big deals, the Broncos find themselves struggling to hold onto all their stars. Coach Kevin Walters previously admitted that Cobbo and Staggs might have to take pay cuts in order to remain at the Broncos.
Club great Parker previously admitted he found it staggering the club hadn't already offered the centre a $1 million a season deal, but he now feels the Cowboys could offer the Broncos star the money. While not knowing what is going on with the Cowboys' salary cap situation, with players leaving ahead of the 2025 season, the Cowboys might be able to outbid the Broncos for the young talent.
"If he was going anywhere it would make sense for him to go north to the Cowboys. If that was the case I would have thought he would be taking Valentine Holmes' money, $800,000-$900,000," Parker said on SEN Radio.
"I have openly said if Selwyn Cobbo goes on the open market, I think he could fetch in excess of $1 million. Whether they have that in their cap, I am not sure." Unless both Cobbo and Staggs want to take a pay cut the duo might find themselves looking at rival offers to boost their deals.
When asked about if the Broncos might be forced to let either Staggs or Cobbo leave, to offer the other more money to stay, Parker said he feels they have no other option. "If they are trying to get maximum dollar for themselves, yes, I think one does have to go," Parker said on Tuesday.
Kevin Walters delivers ominous Broncos warning
Earlier in the year, Walters addressed the salary cap restraints at the Broncos and made fans aware of the situation regarding Cobbo and Staggs. "They are both going to demand a lot of money, but what we need to do is find a compromise with both those players where they are staying here and playing in a great side and a great club, and taking a little bit less money possibly, but staying here and being successful," Walters said about his star centres.
"Kotoni is a Bronco to the bone and so is Selwyn. That's the target, to keep both. That's what I want to do as the coach. It is going to be difficult, but rugby league is difficult. We've got to find a way."
Reece Walsh set to sign mega Broncos deal
Walsh is has reportedly agreed to remain in Brisbane on a four-year contract extension worth $5 million. The last year of his contract would see him become the highest-paid player in the club's history.
Although nothing is official just yet, the Broncos have moved to lock him down before he becomes a free agent for 2026 on November 1. Initial reports from earlier this year stated that Walsh was looking at a new deal worth $6 million.
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Walsh appears to have accepted $1 million less to stay at the club. However, the Broncos' decision to re-sign a number of stars such as Haas, Mam, Patrick Carrigan and potentially Walsh appears to be taking its toll on the rest of the salary cap.
