Get ready for some hot NRL action! The 2026 season has barely begun, and already we're witnessing a coach under intense scrutiny. Step forward, Todd Payten, the man under the microscope.
Chad Townsend, a former player under Payten's guidance at the North Queensland Cowboys, has boldly declared Payten as the 'most under pressure coach' in the league. But here's where it gets controversial...
Payten's Cowboys, despite boasting a talented squad with Origin-level players, finished a disappointing 12th last season. Their defensive woes were a major concern, and it seems those issues are rearing their ugly head once more.
In their recent 28-18 loss to the Knights, the Cowboys' defense was again their Achilles' heel. Last season, they conceded a staggering 684 points, second only to the Titans' 719. And in the previous year, despite a fifth-place finish, they had the worst defense in the top eight, shipping 568 points.
Townsend believes the writing is on the wall for his former mentor. With Payten in the last year of his contract and the club yet to offer an extension, Townsend suggests the Cowboys are waiting to see how the team performs at the start of the year before making a decision.
"The drums are starting to beat," Townsend said. "He's the only coach heading into the 2026 season off contract. The Cowboys need an immediate response in round two."
And this is the part most people miss... The Cowboys' start to the game and the second half against the Knights was described as 'very ordinary' by Townsend. Their defense, once again, conceded 28 points, a worrying trend that has critics like Corey Parker concerned.
"It could be a long season," Parker said. "Their middles were poor, and in attack, they lacked direction."
So, will Payten turn things around, or is his time at the Cowboys coming to an end? The pressure is on, and the noise is getting louder. What do you think? Will Payten survive this storm, or is it time for a change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
