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The idea that the Jets would ever let Breece Hall out of their grasp was strange.
When you don’t have a great roster, why would you let one of your few difference-making players go?
Well, the idea of Hall leaving was put to rest on Tuesday with his announcement, from not one, not two, but three reporters from the same network, that the Jets are putting the franchise tag on Hall – NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday, per sources. Hall will make $14.3 million this year under the franchise tag if the team and his agent can’t reach a long-term deal.
Hall is represented by agent Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports, an agency run by Rich Paul, a long-time friend of LeBron James.
Hall rushed for 1065 yards last season. Now, many people view eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark as a big deal anymore with a 17-game season, or the 16-game season before that.
While 1,000-yard rushing seasons aren’t what they used to be with 17-game seasons, the fact that Hall rushed for 1,065 yards last year is still impressive.
Considering the Jets had almost no passing game to speak of in many games last year due to some dubious QB decisions, Hall faced a lot of stacked boxes, and still got over 1,000, so even in a 17-game season, that is a noteworthy accomplishment.
The Jets’ horrid passing offense last year was such a waste of having a good run blocking offensive line, which started the same five guys in all 17 games.
When you have a good run blocking line, and a franchise back, and you can run the football, this should set-up easy passes for the QB.
Just look how well QB Caleb Williams did in Chicago this past year, with a run-based attack, and the easy throws that came off of that on play-action and bootlegs.
Same with Sam Darnold in Seattle.
This shows you how broken the Jets’ offense was last year.
One of the weirdest games was when the Jets lost at New England and ran the ball so well. Mike Vrabel gave them high praise. Vrabel knows a thing or two about trench work in the NFL as a former defensive end.
“I really enjoy watching their offensive line – it’s a good group, a young talented group [at tackle], love the play-demeanor of the guys inside, Myers, [Tippmann], and Simpson – they come off the ball, they are good with their combinations,” Vrabel said on Wednesday. “They allow Breece (Hall) to get going,” Vrabel said.
At one point in the third quarter, the Jets had 23 yards passing, even though they were running well in this game.
That is absurd.
A combination of poor QB play and an inexperienced play-caller.
but didn’t we all think that Justin Fields, with a running game, to take the pressure off him, and set up bootlegs and other easy throws, would be okay?
Aside from the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati games, he wasn’t.
Then Tyrod Taylor played, and was a little better, but got hurt, and then over the last month, they rolled with a rookie QB, with great character, who no other team likely would have had in their #3 spot, and that didn’t work out particularly well. That was an odd roster decision.
But the idea that they could run the ball and throw the ball as poorly as they did, with a back as good as Hall, was Kabuki Theater. It was absurd
So whoever they have at QB this, better be a guy who can take advantage of a very good offensive line and a franchise back, who is not going anywhere (unless a team is willing to give up two #1 picks).
But in 2026, they can’t waste Hall’s contributions, like they did last year, which likely won’t happen with Frank Reich running the offense.
The Jets are trying to work out a long-term contract with Hall, so he doesnt have to play on the franchise tag, but if he wants Saquon Barkley money ($20 million per), he might end up staying on the tag.
His fumble issues could keep the price down a tag.
March 3, 2026
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