Jets' intentions with Breece Hall are becoming clear as free agency nears

The New York Jets will have decisions to make on a number of internal free agents in the coming weeks, but perhaps no player will dominate headlines as much as running back Breece Hall.

Hall’s future in New York has become the subject of growing speculation as the season has gone on and the team weighs its long-term plans at running back. The former second-round pick was at the center of extensive trade talks ahead of November’s deadline, but the Jets ultimately opted to keep him.

That decision seemed to suggest that the Jets planned to re-engage in extension talks with Hall after the season. After all, it would be a tough look to pass up trade offers, only to let their star running back walk for nothing in free agency.

That appears to be their plan. ESPN's Rich Cimini reported earlier this week that "the Jets remain very interested in retaining Hall before he hits the open market" this coming March. The Jets plan for him to be their starting running back in 2026.

The Jets reportedly plan to keep Breece Hall in 2026

Hall has put together a bounce-back season in 2025, topping 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. The Iowa State product has rushed for 1,065 yards and four touchdowns on a healthy 4.4 yards per carry, adding 36 catches for 350 yards and a touchdown in the air.

It's been tough sledding for Hall in recent weeks, given the current state of the Jets' offense, but he's notably cut down on many of the ball security issues that plagued him in 2024. Hall has just two fumbles and two drops this season after finishing last year with six fumbles and a team-worst nine drops.

Hall's efficiency has also improved. The 24-year-old ranks 13th in the NFL in total Rushing Yards Over Expected (RYOE) and fourth among all qualified running backs in FTN Fantasy's successful Juke Rate, behind only Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jonathan Taylor.

Hall may not be quite the same player he was a couple of years ago for the Jets, but he's an above-average NFL running back who provides value as a pass-catcher and doesn't turn 25 until the end of May. He figures to have a sizable market this offseason.

The Jets could look to extend Hall, with projections likely landing in the range of the contract a player like Kyren Williams received at three years and $33 million. That possibility, however, would also depend on Hall’s desire to remain in Florham Park.

Hall has previously expressed frustration with his situation, and it remains unclear whether he would be open to a long-term extension with the Jets. As a result, it is increasingly possible the team could turn to the franchise tag or even the seldom-used transition tag to retain him.

The franchise tag would fully lock Hall in for the 2026 season at a projected cost of $13.642 million, preventing him from negotiating with other teams. The transition tag would be cheaper at $11.067 million and allow Hall to test free agency, with the Jets retaining the right to match any offer sheet.

Ultimately, the Jets appear motivated to keep Hall in the fold one way or another, even if the path forward is still being debated. How the situation is resolved, however, remains to be seen.