Shaun Johnson, the New Zealand Warriors’ retiring halfback, recently confirmed that he received a contract offer from the club that met all his demands for the 2025 season. However, despite this enticing offer, Johnson ultimately decided to retire from professional rugby league.
Johnson, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the Warriors’ history, made the tough decision to retire after struggling with his performance throughout the 2024 NRL season. This decision allows the Warriors to begin planning for a future without Johnson, and he explained that the realization that the offer didn’t resonate with him the way it should have was the key moment in his decision to step away from the game.
In a candid conversation with the media, Johnson revealed that the moment he received the offer from the club was a pivotal one. Speaking to SENZ Radio, Johnson explained, “The real drop penny moment was probably when I received offers from the club. They came through and gave me everything I wanted, and it probably didn’t hit home how it should have, or how previous contracts have in the past.” This lack of enthusiasm, coupled with a sense of obligation rather than passion, led him to reassess his future in the sport.
Johnson further elaborated on the internal struggle he faced during this time. He admitted that the offer should have been exciting, but instead, it left him questioning his motivations. “That was a bit of a point for me where I was like, ‘I’m not just going to sign a contract here to pick up a pay cheque.’ This is something here that I need to think about and I need to figure out,” he said. This introspection led him to the conclusion that it was time to retire, even though the decision was far from easy.
Reflecting on his younger self, Johnson expressed a sense of disbelief that he would be in this position. He imagined that his younger self would have been eager to sign the contract without hesitation, driven by the pure love of the game. “If I’m being honest, that moment sucked, because if you told the kid before I’d walk through the doors at 33, you’re going to be turning down a contract. You would have told him, ‘shut up, sign the thing. Do what you love,'” Johnson shared. Despite these conflicting emotions, the decision to retire was one that he had been contemplating for some time, and ultimately, it was the right choice for him.
As the Warriors continue their 2024 NRL season, they remain in contention for a spot in the finals. Johnson and his team are now focused on finishing the season strong, with upcoming matches against the Dolphins, Manly Sea Eagles, Canterbury Bulldogs, and Cronulla Sharks. The Warriors will need to win all four of their remaining games to secure a place in the top eight and qualify for the finals, making Johnson’s final season a memorable one.
