Jets' Breece Hall running toward hefty free-agent deal
Jets running back Breece Hall rushes for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Brad Penner
Breece Hall has increased his value to the Jets, and his own price tag.
The talented running back has carried the offense during their two-game winning streak and is playing himself into a lucrative contract – from the Jets or another team in free agency.
It's likely going to take another heavy dose of Hall for the Jets to upset the Patriots and win their third straight game Thursday night, especially with Garrett Wilson out for the third time in four games with a knee injury.
“He has all those capabilities to make an explosive play anytime he gets the ball in his hands,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “Trust me, we try to use him as much as we can. We're still looking at ways to try to use him and get the ball in his hands because he's a dynamic player. I'm just glad he's on our team.”
Hall was nearly moved before last Tuesday’s trade deadline. He might have been, according to a report, had Kansas City upped its offer to the Jets from a fourth-round pick to a third-rounder.
“I’m super glad,” Wilson said about Hall still being a Jet. “Super glad.”
The Jets (2-7) could still be searching for their first win if not for Hall’s heroics.
He accounted for four of the Jets’ five offensive touchdowns in the last two games – two rushing, one receiving and one passing. Hall and Bears receiver D.J. Moore are the only players with a rushing, receiving and passing touchdown this season.
“I'm the type of person to bet on myself,” Hall said. “If I was going to be here - whether I was or wasn't - at the end of the day, I know what I can do as a player.”
Hall threw the touchdown pass to Mason Taylor that led to the go-ahead extra point against Cincinnati in Week 8. Hall also scored the go-ahead TD on on a 42-yard screen pass last week against Cleveland. Hall has amassed 276 of the 682 yards of offense the Jets totaled in the two games.
“He’s that man,” quarterback Justin Fields said. “He’s that man.”
Hall and the Jets will have their work cut out for them against the red-hot Patriots. They are 8-2 and have won seven straight games under first-year coach Mike Vrabel, who the Jets interviewed for their vacancy after last season.
New England is a top-8 scoring offense - led by MVP candidate Drake Maye - and has allowed the sixth-least points per game in the league. The Patriots have the No. 1 run defense (79.2 yards per game). They have not given up a rushing touchdown in four games. Only one opposing back has surpassed 50 yards rushing – Tampa Bay’s Sean Tucker, who gained 53 on nine carries last week.
That won’t stop the Jets from feeding Hall, who ran for a career-high 178 yards in New England in the 2023 regular-season finale. The Jets have been giving Hall the ball more with Wilson out.
Hall is averaging 21.5 touches in the two wins. He touched the football 16.2 times per in the previous seven games. Hall has 664 yards rushing and is on pace for 1,254 yards. The Jets haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Chris Ivory in 2015.
This could end up being Hall’s best season, but he doesn’t think it is...yet. He said it’s 2023 when he rushed for 994 yards and led all backs in catches (76) and receiving yards (591).
“For a running backs, it's very situational on how your touches will come,” Hall said. “When you get the ball, you got to try to make the most of it.”
Hall is doing that at the right time for his bank account. If the Jets don’t extend Hall, he could have the franchise tag placed on him - a projected $14 million payday. He’s only 24 and showing he can make winning plays.
“I'm still young, still fresh,” Hall said. “I'm in an interesting situation where I'm going to be a free agent after the season. It's nerve-racking. But I'm worried about the season right now.”
Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand has to find ways to get other players involved, such as Taylor, rookie receiver Arian Smith and newly acquired wideouts John Metchie and Adonai Mitchell, who could make his Jets debut.
The Patriots know that Hall will be featured and will focus on stopping him.
“We have other guys,” Glenn said. “He’s a good player and when you’re a good player, guys are going to key on you. The thing is, the other guys got to step up.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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