Breece Hall's future hangs in the balance as Jets approach must-know offseason date

The New York Jets are quickly approaching one of their most important offseason deadlines, and the future of standout running back Breece Hall sits squarely at the center of it.

The NFL’s franchise and transition tag window opened on February 17 and closes on March 3 at 4 pm ET, which gives the Jets just a few more weeks to determine how they want to handle their star running back.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Saturday that the team is weighing all options with Hall, including a tag or a potential long-term deal, though nothing has been decided yet.

Those options range from franchising Hall, placing the transition tag on him, attempting a long-term extension, or simply letting him walk in free agency. With the clock ticking, the Jets’ decision will reveal not only how they view Hall, but also how they plan to navigate a critical offseason for Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey.

The Jets will make their Breece Hall decision soon

Recent projections suggest Hall could command one of the heftiest contracts among free agent running backs. ESPN’s Field Yates speculated earlier this week that Hall may earn somewhere in the $14–15 million per year range on the open market, which would make him the fourth-highest-paid player at his position in the NFL.

Committing that kind of money to a running back could be a difficult sell for the Jets, especially given Hall’s inconsistent production over the past two seasons and his growing frustrations with the organization.

While Hall remains a talented and productive player, he has just one 1,000-yard rushing season and has not firmly established himself among the league’s elite at the position. His subpar 2024 campaign and underwhelming finish to the 2025 season shouldn't be overlooked.

From Hall’s perspective, there's also little incentive to rush into a long-term agreement with an organization he has openly expressed frustration with after years of losing. With both sides seemingly misaligned, a short-term solution feels far more realistic.

That's why a one-year tag makes the most sense. The transition tag, valued at roughly $11.7 million this year, would allow the Jets to match any offer Hall receives in free agency, preserving some flexibility while avoiding a full commitment.

Fowler noted that some around the league expect the Jets to consider this route. However, if Hall’s market truly climbs toward the numbers Yates suggested, the transition tag may not be wise.

In that case, the Jets could be forced to use the franchise tag, which would cost approximately $14.54 million for the 2026 season and lock Hall in for another year. Simply letting Hall walk outright would be poor asset management and is unlikely, especially after the Jets balked at trade offers a few months ago.

With March 3 rapidly approaching, the Jets are running out of time to delay the inevitable. Whatever path they choose will send a clear message about how they value Hall and how aggressively they plan to remake their roster this offseason. One way or another, clarity is coming soon.