Jets put the franchise tag on Breece Hall

The Jets took a big step toward keeping running back Breece Hall – for this season at least.

Unable to reach an agreement on a new contract with Hall, the Jets placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the 1,000-yard rusher on Tuesday. The deadline to tag a player was 4 p.m.

This was the way things were heading for Hall and the Jets. The two sides tried to work out a long-term extension, but they couldn’t by the deadline. During last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, Jets general manager Darren Mougey said they would tag Hall if no deal came together.

“Breece is a good player,” Mougey said. “We want to find a way to keep him around.”

The franchise tag for a running back is roughly $14.3 million. Hall, 24, can negotiate with other teams when the NFL’s free-agent negotiation window opens on Monday. But the Jets can match any offer he receives.

If they choose not to match, the Jets would be compensated with two first-round picks from the team that signs Hall. It’s unlikely that a team will trade two firsts for Hall.

By franchise tagging Hall, the Jets and Hall have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract. They will try to achieve that. If no deal is reached, Hall will play 2026 on the one-year franchise tender.

It’s possible that Hall will play out this year and try to enter free agency again next year.

“Always been the type to bet on myself,” Hall posted on social media Tuesday. “Been working … See yall soon.”

The Jets have numerous holes to fill coming off a 3-14 season. Quarterback is a main one. But with Aaron Glenn perhaps coaching for his job, the Jets didn’t want to lose their top playmaking back.

There was talk of the Jets using the transition tag on Hall, but it made more sense to franchise him since there could be a robust market for the dual-threat back. The transition tag is $11.3 million, but the Jets wouldn’t get any compensation if they chose not to match an offer Hall received.

A second-round pick in 2022, Hall could have been the most sought-after running back in free agency. Hall had his best season running the football in 2025 and second-most productive year overall.

He became the first Jet since 2015 to rush for 1,000 yards, finishing with 1,065 on 243 carries. Hall led the Jets with 1,415 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns.

“He's a playmaker and we want to keep playmakers around on both sides of the ball,” Mougey said. “He's a proven playmaker and a good player, good person, so want to find a way to keep Breece around.”

There have been some questions about whether Hall wants to remain with the Jets. They have gone 22-46 in Hall’s four seasons with the team and his usage has fluctuated.

Hall led the NFL in 2023 in receptions by a back with 76 catches. Those totals dipped to 57 the following year and 36 last season, despite the Jets being without top receiver Garrett Wilson for 10 games. It will be up to new offensive coordinator Frank Reich to find ways to feature Hall more prominently.

The Jets had trade discussions centered around Hall during the season but chose to keep him. Glenn said at the time, “Breece was not a guy that I want to get rid of. Man, he’s a damn good player.”

There were rumblings before the trade deadline that Hall would welcome a change. Kansas City was one of the teams reportedly interested in acquiring him. Hall said he did not request a trade. He also never formally denied whether he was hoping he would be moved and sent some mixed signals.

When Hall was asked recently by the New York Post how he was feeling about being a Jet long term, he responded, “I don’t know. I’ve addressed this for the last six, seven months now. Now I’m just kind of like whatever happens, happens.”

Mougey now has additional time to get something done with Hall and focus more of his attention on finding a quarterback and playmakers on both sides of the ball.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.