The NFL's trade deadline came and went, and despite the entirety of Chiefs Kingdom channeling their hopes toward a potential backfield upgrade in the form of Breece Hall, the New York Jets have [decided not to deal their star running back after all](https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/1985815356796010883).
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz has word that the Jets decided against making any more deals at the deadline despite trading away their two best defenders in a season going nowhere.
The Jets were the biggest movers and shakers at the deadline. They sent elite cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for multiple first-round picks and Adonai Mitchell. Shortly thereafter, they sent defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for more draft capital and lineman Mazi Smith.
It was natural to assume from that point that the Jets would continue to sell off assets, but general manager Darren Mougey stuck to his guns. Jets sources insisted all along that the front office had high values on certain players deemed available and that turned out to be true.
The Jets decided it was worth keeping Breece Hall at the NFL's trade deadline, despite the move making little sense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That means that Breece Hall, a running back halfway through the final season on his rookie deal, will remain in place. The same goes for linebacker Quincy Williams, whose brother was traded, and defensive end Jermaine Johnson. It's a safe bet that the Chiefs would have shown interest in the latter as well.
The decision to retain Hall is a head-scratcher for a franchise in the basement of the AFC East at 1-7 overall. It's possible they use a transition tag on him or hope to retain him for the sake of having more weapons available for whatever young quarterback they take in next year's draft. However, it made more sense to send Hall packing in the mid-season fire sale that unfolded on Tuesday.
The Chiefs will now lean on Isiah Pacheco, a back in the same class and position as Hall, to carry them for the rest of the season as the lead option. The team hopes he will return ready to play after the bye in Week 10 [following an MCL sprain](https://arrowheadaddict.com/isiah-pacheco-s-injury-puts-chiefs-in-uncomfortable-spot-vs-bills-01k8p3dvjmae) suffered in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders.
Beyond Pacheco, Kareem Hunt is a battering ram and short-yardage answer, but he's also not going to alter a defensive coordinator's game plan. Brashard Smith was a hopeful addition, but he was also a seventh-round find who was new to the position after switching in his final season (at SMU) from wide receiver.
Unless another late-arriving deal is announced, the Chiefs will move forward with the same concerning backfield that got them this far: a 5-4 record and third place in the AFC West.