Dylan Brown hit with ugly claim after timing of $13m deal as Jason Ryles cops fresh Eels blow
The Parramatta Eels five-eighth has turned the NRL upside down with his mega-deal with the Knights.
NRL great Mat Rogers and Scott Sattler have questioned the timing of the news Dylan Brown will be joining the Newcastle Knights next year on a $13 million deal and with Jason Ryles put under pressure. Brown stunned the NRL community on Monday afternoon after reports emerged he had told his Parramatta teammates he would be moving to Newcastle in 2026.
Brown appeared to confirm the reports on his Instagram, before signalling his intention to give it his all in 2025 for the Eels. The 24-year-old’s deal is reportedly the biggest in NRL history worth $13 million across 10 years. If Brown was to remain at the Eels, he would leave around $6 million on the table. The offer appeared to hard to ignore and few can blame him.
While there are conflicting views on whether the Knights have secured a premier playmaker on a deal that could produce a title, or go bust, the timing of the news has not sat well with many. On Monday, reports emerged the Knights would not withdraw their mega offer to Brown after the weekend’s performance.
Brown was wearing the No.6 jersey and led the Eels in the opening round clash against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park. However, the Eels’ opening round turned into a nightmare with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster tearing Parramatta apart in a 56-18 win.
And after the performance there was doubts over whether Brown could play halfback and if he was worth the money the Knights had offered. But it didn’t take long after the concerns for the news to be confirmed that would be off to Newcastle on a new deal. Brown reportedly told his teammates on Monday.
This didn’t sit well with everyone in the rugby league community. NRL great Scott Sattler suggested Brown’s signing could have been used as a bargaining chip to convince Kalyn Ponga to remain at the Knights. Ponga’s deal is finishing in 2027 with speculation he could join the Roosters or make a switch to rugby union.
The timing of Brown’s move was compared to that of Justin Hodges’ deal in 2001 when he told Wayne Bennett he would be leaving the Broncos to join the Roosters. Bennett subsequently dropped him from the team.
And moments after the news, Rogers questioned whether the timing of Brown’s news would further disrupt the coach and the playing group. “Now one of your star players is telling the teammates he is leaving? Would you want him there? As a young new coach…” Rogers asked.
