This week, the New York Jets, who have been struggling for years to get out of the NFL’s dungeon, used their franchise tag on running back Breece Hall. Hall is one of their few bona fide threats on either side of the football, and at the very least, this move will buy him and the Jets just over four months to work out a long-term contract.
If he signs the franchise tag, he will make just over $14 million for the 2026 season. New York desperately needs something significant to go its way after missing the playoffs for the 15th straight time this past season.
However, the reaction to New York’s decision on Hall hasn’t been positive. A number of NFL executives have slammed this move and feel it is evidence that the Jets are simply a second-rate franchise.
In an article for SportsBoom, Jason La Canfora quoted multiple executives as saying that this was a poor move.
"This is what dysfunctional franchises do," said one long-time NFL personnel executive. "They chase their tail."
Another personnel exec said: "If you're dying to tag him, use the transition tag. I don't get it."
Since New York used its non-exclusive franchise tag on Hall, he can sign an offer sheet with any other team he wants. If New York doesn’t match such an offer sheet, he will leave, and it will then receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
But another executive feels Hall will not get an offer with another team.
"They couldn't get back the pick they used on him (Hall is a former second-round pick)," the first exec said. "No one is signing him to an offer sheet."
Hall may not be the caliber of player that Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry or Jonathan Taylor is, but he is a difference-maker. In 2025, he ran for 1,065 yards and four touchdowns while also catching 36 passes for 350 yards. An argument could be made that on another team with more weapons, a competent quarterback and a solid offensive line, he could bust out a little more.
After going 3-14 this past season, the Jets will have the No. 2 pick and the No. 16 pick in April’s NFL draft. They have many needs, starting at the QB spot and including pass-rushing and the wide receiver position, but unfortunately, this year’s draft class isn’t bursting at the seams with potential-laden signal-callers.
Getting Hall inked to some sort of long-term contract could be the first step toward becoming a respectable organization for the Jets. But needless to say, it will take several prudent moves, not to mention some good fortune for a change, if they are to reverse decades of littering pro football with mostly bad and mediocre play.
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