Jets may have only one realistic option to keep Breece Hall this offseason

Outside the quarterback position, the most intriguing position to watch for the New York Jets this offseason will be running back.

What should the Jets do with Breece Hall? Their 2022 second-round pick has had an up-and-down four-year career in New York with plenty of highs and lows. He's set to test unrestricted free agency in March.

He's expected to be the top free agent running back in the class this offseason, alongside Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. But is it possible that Hall doesn't even get the chance to negotiate with other teams?

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt projected Hall's value in free agency, and also theorized that the Jets may have to resort to the franchise tag to keep him in New York for at least one more season.

Jets may have to use franchse tag to keep Breece Hall

With Hall's rookie deal expiring, Rosenblatt believes the Jets may have to use the dreaded franchise tag to keep their star running back for at least one more season.

Throughout the 2025 season, it was fairly obvious from post-game comments and social media posts that Hall was fed up with the Jets' perennial losing. It makes sense that he would want to test free agency and see if he can't find a team that would give him a long-term deal.

But Hall's leaving would create quite a hole in the Jets' running back room. Braelon Allen is coming off a serious knee injury, and Isaiah Davis is best utilized as a change-of-pace back, not a workhorse. New York's best course of action is likely the franchise tag.

Over the Cap projects the running back franchise tag to shake out to roughly $14.5 million, a palatable salary for the Jets, who are expected to have roughly $83.2 million before any cuts or restructures, per the same source.

Hall is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He finally crossed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time since coming out of Iowa State, and hauled in 36 receptions for 350 yards.

He only scored five touchdowns, but the Jets as a team struggled to score all season long. After superstar wide receiver Garrett Wilson went down with an injury, Hall was easily New York's best offensive player.

Forcing him back for at least one more season makes a lot of sense. The Jets have a lot of holes on their roster to fill, and Hall's leaving would create another. Kicking the can down the road another year allows New York to focus on other parts of their roster, and solves the running back position with a one-year band-aid.

Rosenblatt notes that the Jets could negotiate a long-term deal with Hall. His deal is projected to fall within the range of other star running backs, such as Kyren Williams and James Cook, at around three years and $37 million.

It will be an important storyline to watch with free agency less than a month away, and the franchise tag window opening on February 17.