Of all the disappointments in the New York Jets’ 2024 season thus far, none is more astonishing than the collapse of Breece Hall. Widely regarded as a top-five running back in the NFL, many Jets fans expected Hall to cement himself as perhaps the league’s best back. Instead, he may be the league’s worst back.
Generally, it is prudent to have patience when a talented player with a track record of success is struggling. For four weeks, that made some sense. At this point, though, there is only one move for the Jets to make: it is time to bench Hall in favor of Braelon Allen.
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The need to bench Hall is less about Allen and more about Hall. Yes, Allen has been more successful on the ground thus far, partially through the benefits of better blocking. Even Allen couldn’t get the first down on third- and fourth-and-short when the Jets’ blocking broke down.
Rather, Hall’s play against Minnesota showcased why he should not be the Jets’ starting running back.
Hall continues to dive straight into defenders on most of his runs, not even trying to make a move or lower his shoulder and plow forward. For a 217-pound back, he is remarkably unwilling to take on contact. Yes, the blocking is bad, but he’s not even trying to compensate for it.
Hall’s vision has been exceptionally poor this year. He was spotty at times last year, but it’s getting untenable at this point.
Even on good runs, he leaves a lot of meat on the bone. He was never the best one-on-one with a defender in the open field, but his inability to turn good runs into great ones makes the Jets’ running game completely anemic. That was always his calling card.
But it’s not just his running that should have him riding the pine. Rather, his lack of effort on two plays against the Vikings is the last straw.
Barely two weeks ago, Hall posted on X about his efforts to keep Aaron Rodgers clean in the pocket.
Yall really don’t know how hard pass pro is😂😂😂Anything to Keep 8 Clean🤞🏾 https://t.co/cNtXRd0Zct
— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) September 20, 2024
That leads to this play against the Vikings.
Yes, Hall had other plays where he picked up the blitz well and stuck his neck out. But this level of disinterest is unacceptable from any player even once in a season.
On the Jets’ next drive, Hall did something equally unforgivable.
Hall was in the best position to prevent this from going for a pick-six. He started running and then just stopped, loafing it and assuming another Jets player would make the tackle. When he finally picked up speed, Harrison Smith came to block him, and once again, he just… stopped. No effort to push Smith into the sideline and impede Van Ginkel, no attempt to shed the block and make the tackle.
Any player who puts this on tape should hit the bench. A coach with authority would do it even to their biggest stars, at least for show. But for a running back whose play has somehow been worse than Dalvin Cook’s last season? Not only should Hall be benched, but the Jets should consider giving Isaiah Davis more looks.
Even Robert Saleh had his limits last year. He benched Allen Lazard for completely checking out. But it took until Week 9 for Saleh to do it, and it was Lazard without Aaron Rodgers, not Breece Hall. From everything he has said and done as Jets head coach, it is abundantly clear that Saleh lacks the guts to make such a move.
Ironically, Saleh continues to pay lip service to the idea that the Jets “fought hard.” Hall put out black-and-white evidence that he didn’t. Even by Saleh’s low standards, Hall should be benched.
Quincy Williams said after the Vikings game, “People gotta start taking accountability. People get tired of hearing the same thing every week.” His words ring loud and clear when it comes to Hall. Instead of being accountable, Hall whined to the media that “if you don’t run for 100 yards, people will think you suck.”
Patriots first-year head coach Jerod Mayo replaced running back Rhamondre Stevenson with Antonio Gibson in the starting lineup due to Stevenson’s fumbles. Although it was ultimately symbolic, as Stevenson out-touched Gibson significantly, it still sent a message to Stevenson and the rest of the team.
It’s time for Saleh to take the same stance. Draft pedigree and reputation should not matter at this point. Put Hall on the bench until he is willing to take responsibility for his actions and embrace the “all gas, no brakes” mentality. And as a bonus, get a running back willing to lower his shoulder and defeat contact.
