Latest Breece Hall update leaves Jets with only one real option

The New York Jets will have a host of important decisions to make in the coming weeks as Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey work to position the roster in a way that keeps the team competitive and their jobs secure.

Perhaps the organization's most important internal decision revolves around the future of running back Breece Hall. Hall is set to enter free agency for the first time in his career and is expected to command a sizable market.

After balking on trade offers at the deadline last year, the Jets likely aren't looking to let him walk for nothing in free agency. And based on recent reports, that means they might be forced to use the franchise tag.

ESPN’s Field Yates speculated Thursday that Hall could make the most money of any free agent running back this offseason, potentially in the $14–15 million AAV range, which is higher than many projections to this point.

The Jets might be forced to franchise tag Breece Hall

All of that makes a long-term extension between the Jets and Hall feel increasingly unlikely. The team is understandably hesitant to commit top-of-the-market money to a running back, particularly one who has been inconsistent at times over the past two seasons.

From Hall’s side, there is little incentive to rush into a long-term deal with an organization he has openly criticized, especially given the losing and lack of progress during his tenure. With both sides misaligned, a short-term solution appears far more realistic, if one exists at all.

The belief has been that the Jets could explore placing the seldom-used transition tag on Hall, which is valued at $11.73 million this year and would allow the team to match any offer he receives on the open market.

However, if Hall's market is what Yates suggests it will be, the Jets might have no choice but to use the franchise tag, which is worth $14.54 million in 2026. That figure would make Hall the fourth-highest-paid running back in the entire NFL behind only Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry.

That would be a hefty price to pay for Hall. While he was productive last season and has proven to be a quality starting running back, he has only one 1,000-yard rushing season on his resume and has not consistently performed at an elite level.

Hall may sit on the fringes of the top 10 at his position, but he is clearly a tier below true difference-makers like Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, etc. That said, given his age (he's still only 24 years old) and upside, it wouldn't be a surprise if multiple teams were willing to give him that kind of money.

That means the Jets will either be forced to place the franchise tag on their standout running back or risk letting him walk for nothing, which would be poor asset management and feels unlikely.

The franchise tag is quickly becoming the Jets’ most logical path forward with Hall. It may not be an ideal solution, but it offers the team short-term control while they figure out what comes next at one of the roster’s most complicated positions.