EXCLUSIVE: Darren Lockyer pinpoints when Payne Haas contract saga could become 'a distraction'

Broncos great and board member Darren Lockyer has cautioned the club's supporters against fretting about the Payne Haas contract saga, stating it's not currently a distraction because Brisbane's finals hopes have long been dashed.

But the legendary five-eighth has warned that the Haas contract drama could begin to hinder the Broncos when it starts to attract more attention in the media.

"The fact that he's signed til 2024 – I don't think there's a rush on it," Lockyer said on Wide World of Sports' QLDER.

"It becomes a distraction if it's brought up on a weekly basis.

"The Broncos aren't in contention for the finals so I don't see it as a big problem right now.

"I think from Payne's perspective and his family and the manager – they probably want it resolved sooner rather than later and I think the Broncos would be the same.

"But the Broncos are not going to force the issue from the perspective of he's already got a contract (until) 2024."

The Broncos have reportedly offered Haas a fresh six-year deal, which would extend the contract of the Blues and Kangaroos front-rower by two years, until the end of 2026.

Brisbane premiership-winner Sam Thaiday expects the contract stand-off to create greater hype once the finals are done.

"It will be seen as an issue because it will be a talking point in the off-season because there's no footy, so we have to report on other things and that will be something that will be reported on," Thaiday said.

"That will be a talking point."