How Reece Walsh contract could cost Broncos Sam Walker as Darren Lockyer makes call

Darren Lockyer has revealed the Broncos are facing a salary cap squeeze amid links to Roosters halfback Sam Walker with Reece Walsh also set to sign a whopping $6 million deal at the club. The Broncos endured a horror season having failed to make finals for the third time in four years under coach Kevin Walters.

Adam Reynolds' role at the club came under criticism with the 34-year-old halfback injuring his shoulder and missing a large portion of the NRL season. The No.7 has suffered a number of small injuries across the last two years, but was instrumental in leading the club to the 2023 grand final.

Reynolds was handed a one-year contract extension at the end of last season due to his performances, which will finish at the end of the 2025 season. And the Broncos hierarchy are already seeking options for when he leaves the club. Ezra Mam was not used as the replacement No.7, when Reynolds was injured this year, with Walters preferring to hand the role to the youngsters.

Lockyer feels Mam is still learning his craft and his talents lean towards being a ball-player rather than an organiser. This has boosted speculation Roosters halfback Walker as the ideal replacement. Walker was in sensational form for the Roosters in 2024, but his season was cut short after an ACL injury against the Raiders in round 26.

Walker comes off contract at the end of next year. He can also talk with rival clubs on November 1 regarding a future contact. However, the Roosters reportedly offered Walker a two-year, $1.8 million extension on his contract.

The 22-year-old should also welcome big offers from other clubs due to his sensational form in 2024. There are suggestions Walker could demand well over $1 million a season. This could see him refuse the Roosters' offer and seek a contract at a rival club for significantly more money.

However, Lockyer has made the surprising admission the Broncos probably won't be able to match this deal for Walker with their salary cap on the edge after signing a number of young stars. "The salary cap probably restricts you from bringing someone like that to the club at the moment, because he's demanding big money," Lockyer said on the Channel Nine show QLDER.

"He's already got a decent offer on the table from the Roosters, even though it's well below what he's asking. The Broncos at the moment would not be in the market, could not afford that type of player."

Lockyer's admission comes as fans have speculated who would take over from Reynolds when his deal ends. Lockyer claimed emerging star Coby Black could be the future halfback for the Broncos with the Maroons legend handing the youngster high-praise. Reynolds took a pay-cut to re-sign with the Broncos for the 2025 season. If the halfback leaves the club, the Broncos' salary cap won't benefit too much.

Reece Walsh at centre of staggering Broncos contract

One of the reasons the Broncos could be stretched to sign another big player is because of Walsh's impending deal. Ezra Mam and Payne Haas have both signed mega deals with the Broncos, which was in a bid to secure the club's future. Five-eighth Mam signed a five-year deal worth a reported $4 million, while Walsh is seeking to become one of the highest paid players in the competition.

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And Walsh expected to re-sign on a new $6 million deal in the coming weeks, the club might be forced to part ways with more players. Walsh's expected signing comes as the Broncos have been urged to improve their forward pack in 2025 with the club finishing in 12th place after a horror season.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been linked to a move north after being granted a release from his contract at Parramatta as incoming coach Jason Ryles looks to make changes. And despite speculation Haas has become unsettled, his manager has quelled any rumours the rampaging forward is unhappy at the club.