Rumors of departure have swirled around Jets running back Breece Hall for nearly a year.
In just a few weeks, those rumblings could become reality. After completing the fourth and final year of his rookie deal, Hall is headed toward free agency in March if New York doesn't strike a deal to keep him. With four tumultuous years behind him, Hall might welcome a change, too.
"You know, I don't know," Hall said Saturday, via the New York Post. "I've addressed this for the last six, seven months now. But now I'm just kind of like whatever happens, happens."
Talks of a possible split began over last summer when folks took a peek at the Jets' roster and their low-ceiling potential and realized Hall might fetch them some return on their investment. The rumblings continued all the way up to the 2025 NFL trade deadline, which passed without including a deal involving Hall.
Despite the uncertainty and the Jets' struggles in all phases, Hall enjoyed a career-best season, breaking 1,000 rushing yards for the first time while scoring four rushing touchdowns and adding 36 receptions for 350 yards and a receiving score. Most of that went unnoticed to those who didn't closely follow the Jets, but talent evaluators looking to add to their running backs room certainly won't overlook it.
New York can keep Hall without a long-term deal by applying the franchise tag, but the price -- $14.5 million for one season -- will likely dissuade the Jets from doing so. At a projected $79.4 million, New York is expected to enter the 2026 offseason with the fourth-most cap space available. A tag wouldn't be about cap space, though -- it would be about market value and distribution of financial resources.
Hall has proven to be a home run hitter in the running and passing game when healthy but never fully commanded the bell cow role with the Jets, at least not until Braelon Allen was lost for the 2025 season due to injury. Handing $14.5 million to a back who doesn't appear to be regarded as an essential piece would be misguided by most standards.
Hall likely knows this and is prepared for whatever outcome is ahead.
"I'm just where my feet are, and letting God and my agent handle everything else," he said. "I feel like my play speaks for itself, considering the situations I've been in the last few years. I'm going to get everything that's coming to me, so I'm not too worried about it."
Hall currently is the No. 13 ranked free agent in NFL.com's top 101 list.
