Dylan Brown says $13 million Newcastle Knights NRL deal not just about money
Dylan Brown has claimed security and not money was his main driver in agreeing to join the Newcastle Knights on the NRL’s most lucrative and lengthy contract.
The New Zealand international will become the owner of the most valuable contract in NRL history next season after signing a 10-year deal worth a staggering $13 million.
The 24-year-old will leave Parramatta at the end of this season.
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“Money has never really been a thing for me, it’s the 10 years of security,” Brown said.
“I just signed a deal with Parra before (in December 2022), and that was 10 years and it was purely based on security.
“I never wanted to leave and I had a few discussions with Parramatta and they put forward their best contract and the Knights’ (offer) was too hard to turn down.
“It’s the longevity of the contract, not so much the money, but it is a lot of money.”
But Brown would not say if he thought he was worth the astonishing amount of money the Knights would pay him over the next decade given the question marks over his consistency to perform at an elite level.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” Brown said.
“I play the best that I can and the offers are put in front of me, so I’d be silly not to take it.”
Brown is expected to move from five-eighth to become Newcastle’s chief playmaker as the team’s halfback.
Among those to raise concerns over Brown’s ability to handle the switch to halfback was Knights great Andrew Johns.
Throughout his career at the Eels, Brown has played second fiddle to halves partner Mitchell Moses and has struggled to control a team when Moses has been unavailable.
“I’ve obviously been a six all my career,” said Brown.
(Playing as a No.7), I’m learning on the go, nothing happens quickly.
“I’m willing to learn. I’m willing to take on the challenge.”
