Milford has been told he doesn't have a future beyond 2021 at Red Hill with the five-eighth linked heavily with a move to Parramatta.

Oates says those who have written off the 27-year-old will be in for a nasty shock and letting Milford go is a decision he personally has reservations about.

"Obviously it's going to happen eventually, Milf moving on, which is the last thing that I myself would want," Oates said.

"He's still got so much talent. He can bring so much to a team. I still think he can bring a lot to our team.

"Wherever he does go, that team's going to benefit massively."

Milford has been linked with an immediate move to the Eels after essentially being cast adrift by Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

Oates is hopeful there is still a future at the Broncos for Milford who joined the club ahead of the 2015 season from Canberra and has gone on to make 147 first grade appearances for Brisbane.

"Hopefully he can hang around here for the rest of the year, maybe get some game time," Oates said.

"That's just what he's got to focus on.

"Where he can go just to show someone for the rest of the year that he still has it and he can still bring a lot to a team.

"It'll be really sad, but that's the reality of football."

Oates himself has only just returned to the Broncos line-up after an extended period in the Queensland Cup and admits his own future is far from certain.

The former Queensland Origin winger has an option in his favour for 2022 but has only made seven NRL appearances this season amid rumours of a clash of personalities with Walters.

"Haven't had any discussions with the staff or the club," he said.

"I want to be here for the rest of my career. Everyone knows that and I've got to prove that and show them for the rest of the year that's what I want."

Oates was also unclear about the immediate future of forward Tevita Pangai Jnr, who is set to join Canterbury next season and also reportedly on the radar of premiership-hunting Penrith on a short-term deal for the remainder of this year.

"It would definitely be sad to see him leave," Oates said.

"Tevita hasn't really come out and said anything to us about it at the moment."

Australian Associated Press