$13m Knights deal about security, not money, says Brown

The 24-year-old will quit the Eels at the end of this season and become the owner of the most valuable contract in NRL history after agreeing to a 10-year deal worth a staggering $13 million.

Brown has spent most of his NRL career as a five-eighth, but will be quickly expected to make the switch to halfback and become the first No.7 to lead Newcastle to a premiership since Andrew Johns.

Asked if he thought he was worth the $13 million Newcastle had laid out over the next decade, Brown said: "Money has never really been a thing for me, it's the 10 years of security. 

"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." 

Brown's contract is not yet signed off - the playmaker is subject to the NRL's 10-day cooling-off period - but there appears little chance the New Zealander will have a change of heart.

Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien, perhaps wary of tempting fate, refused to discuss Brown's signing on Wednesday, a day out from the Knights' round-two clash with the Dolphins.

"The Dylan Brown situation has got a process to go through, and I reckon I'll respect that process," O'Brien said. 

"There will come a time and place to talk about Dylan."

The size and value of Brown's contract came as a shock to the NRL.

Parramatta teammate Junior Paulo joked that Brown had "won more than the Lotto" in securing his lucrative Knights contract. 

But the most curious element to the eight-cap Kiwi international's deal is whether he has the temperament to handle the switch to become a team's halfback. 

Johns was among those to raise concerns over Brown's capability to become a No.7, having previously spent a year working as a consultant at the Eels. 

"Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but I'm the one on the footy field, doing my best," Brown said. 

"That's all I can do, and when I go to the Knights, nothing's going to change." 

Brown's running play and off-the-cuff talent have never been in doubt, but his ability to control a team has been questioned, especially when Mitchell Moses has been unavailable for Parramatta over recent seasons. 

Brown struggled to make an impact in the Eels' season-opening 56-18 loss to Melbourne, with Moses watching on with a foot injury. 

But the prospect of him linking up with Kalyn Ponga is an enticing prospect for Newcastle as they await official confirmation of his signature. 

"I've obviously met with them and the way we are going to play ... numbers on the back (of my jersey) hasn't been discussed," Brown said. 

"There's lots of talent there... I've obviously been a six all my career, and last year I had an opportunity to fill that number. 

"(Playing as a No.7), I'm learning on the go, nothing happens quickly like that, it takes time.

"This year Mitch has been out, so I've got more chance to practise. 

"I'm willing to learn. I'm willing to take on the challenge.''