As the New York Jets prepare for the 2025-26 season, they’re doing so with their feet planted in the present. Many rebuilding clubs tend to have eyes set on the future, but Aaron Glenn’s squad is focused on maximizing today in attempts to be in a good position for tomorrow.
There may not be a greater example of that perspective than running back Breece Hall. Hall, a former second-round pick, is facing the most important stretch of his career. If he has a bounce-back season, there’s a chance the Jets extend him on a sizable new contract. Should he struggle to progress, there’s a world where he hits free agency.
It doesn’t help (yet) that two prominent halfbacks — Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams and James Cook of the Buffalo Bills — just got paid. Does that weigh on Hall’s mind with the season on the horizon?
“They’ve done much more in this league than I have, they’ve been in better situations…they deserve their pay day.”
Breece Hall ‘Happy’ for Other RBs, Not Thinking About Own Situation
Not really. Hall says he’s happy for Williams and Cook, but they’re more proven players than him. They deserve what they got — his time will eventually come if he takes care of business.
“Nah, because they’ve both done much more in this league than I have,” Hall said. “They’ve been in better situations, and they’re both very good players. For me, I obviously feel like I’m just as talented as anyone. Those guys are two really good running backs. They deserve their payday, and they got what they deserve. I’m happy for them, hats off to them, like I said, because they’re really good football players.”
It’s hard to argue against that logic. Hall’s best season came in 2023, when he recorded 994 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns while adding 76 receptions for 591 yards and 4 more scores. The issue is that doesn’t reflect his whole career.
Cook rushed for 1,122 yards in 2023, then followed it up with a 16-touchdown 2024 season that led the league. Williams is coming off a career year with nearly 1,300 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns a season ago.
Both running backs were ascending in time to receive raises. Williams’ contract extension averages $11.5 million per year, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio notes that Cook’s deal also shares the same average in new money. Escalators can raise that value. Both numbers would slot in above Aaron Jones‘ (soon-to-change) seventh-ranked annual payout in the Over The Cap database.
All Hall needs to do is let his play on the field do the talking. That brings us to…
Hall Must Turn in Excellent 2025 to Receive Hefty Raise From Jets
Doing so is much easier said than done. Last year was a prime instance of that being the case. Despite playing in 16 regular-season games, Hall’s stats for yards per carry (4.2), targets (76), receiving success rate (36.8) and yards per touch (5.1) all declined from the year prior. Things simply didn’t work out during the Aaron Rodgers era.
There is some precedent set, though. Just look at 2023. If Hall can return to that form and possibly crack the 1,000-yard mark, it’d unlock a new level during a contract year. Two years ago, the former Iowa State standout was the No. 7 fantasy running back in the sport. He ranked fourth in yards from scrimmage. That’s an immensely valuable player.
It’s clear that Hall knows he must produce more in order to get paid. Results won’t come without a good process. Luckily for him, his head coach has grand plans for his immediate future. With Justin Fields under center at quarterback, the Jets should lean into running the ball more. Fields is also a candidate to find Hall in the passing game, which bodes will for his overall output.
Hall has his work cut out for him, as he isn’t a draft pick from this regime. There’s one way to win them over, though, and that’s turning in a career year.
Jets’ Breece Hall Dishes Take on RB Deals Amid Contract Situation