The New York Jets are in a difficult situation with Breece Hall. The veteran running back is coming off a down year and is entering the final season of his rookie deal with the team.
Playing for a new coaching staff and regime, Hall will see his role cut a bit in 2025.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has confirmed this offseason that the team will take a “by-committee” approach to running backs. Glenn also assured that the team does not plan to move Hall going into the 2025 season.
Does that mean the Jets’ top running back is in Glenn’s long-term plans?
It’s not that simple.
Breece Hall, Jets’ Conundrum
To Hall’s credit, he has made it clear he understands that the 2024 season was not his best. The second-round pick posted a career-low 4.2 yards per carry last season.
Two years removed from finishing fourth in the league in yards from scrimmage, Hall knows he needs to prove he can be a lead back once again.
“I’m not [entitled] to anything,” Hall said. “I’m around a new GM, new coaches, a lot of new faces. So for me, I’ve got to prove that I’m ‘the guy’ every day. I feel like my skill set, I’m a three-down back and second-to-none to a lot of backs in the league.
“We have a great running back room, a lot of healthy competition, but my mentality is every day I’m going to prove that I’m the best back on this roster and one of the best backs in the league.”
The problem with Hall is simple. He believes himself to be a top lead back in the NFL, while the Jets want to make him part of a running back-by-committee this season.
With Hall’s contract expiring next offseason, he needs a big year to get the kind of lucrative extension he will eventually be pushing for.
Something has to give here. Either Hall’s decrease in touches allows him to be more efficient, or the lack of touches doesn’t allow him to break out in a year he desperately needs to.
It’s a point of no return of sorts for Hall and the Jets.
Likely Outcome
Fans may not want to hear it, but with the way the Jets want to use their running back room, it’s unlikely Hall will be in the long-term plans for the future.
Hall will want an extension with the team after the season is over. Would it be smart for the Jets to dish out a long-term deal for a position of lesser value when they are just starting a reorganization? Is Hall even worth a contract over $12 million annually (top-five at his position)?
As things stand, he isn’t. He certainly has the potential to be an all-around great running back as both a runner and receiver, but he needs to put it together more consistently.
Hall has also struggled with pass blocking. He allowed 10 pressures last season (per Pro Football Focus), fifth-most among running backs.
If a running back is going to be paid among the best at his position, he has to do all three things well: run, catch, and block. The fact that Hall is only able to excel at two of the three at this time is a reason why he shouldn’t be paid like a Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey.
That’s what could happen next offseason. Hall could very well be moved during the season as well.
If the Jets are out of playoff contention by the time the trade deadline rolls around, the organization could look to trade some assets to boost their draft chances in the coming years. On an expiring contract, Hall is the type of player who could get moved to gain future picks.
Glenn has made it clear that the team wants to rely on Hall this season, but that thought process could change if they struggle to start the year. If they are 2-7 going into the deadline, could they look to move him?
It shouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.
Unless he quickly climbs into top running back territory, it’s hard to see Hall get the kind of deal he wants from the Jets.