Starting Tuesday, NFL teams can put the franchise tag on players they want to keep out of free agency and off the open market. The deadline to apply the tag is March 3. At some point during that span, do the Jets play tag with running back Breece Hall?
It is an interesting decision for general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. Hall is coming off his most productive season, he continues to show he is a durable player and, best of all, he is only 24. Someone will pay him good money, as he should be one of the most sought-after players at his position if he is made available.
The cost of the franchise tag for running backs in 2026 is expected to be $14.5 million. If the Jets apply that to Hall, that money is guaranteed and the entire amount counts on this year’s salary cap. The Jets are fully healthy as far as cap space, estimated at $78.9 million to work with, according to Spotrac — the fourth-highest amount in the league. Still, that is a hefty amount to spend on a running back.
Hall in 2025 reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his four years, finishing with career highs in attempts (243) and yards (1,065). He also caught 36 passes for 350 yards and sat out the season finale. He has played in 17, 16 and 16 games the past three seasons.
“Breece is a good player,” Mougey said after the season. “I want as many good players back as we can. So, we’ll go through this process and we’ll see how free agency unfolds, but we want to add good players.”
The Jets could apply the tag on Hall and then seek to negotiate a long-term contract with him, which would be beneficial to him and the team — as long as both sides are on the same wavelength as far as his worth.
“I won’t get into hypotheticals and contracts, or anything like that, but we’ll exhaust all the different options and see where that ends up,” Mougey said.
Another option is for the Jets to apply the transition tag to Hall. That would lower his cost to an estimated $11.7 million and give the Jets the ability to match any offer Hall receives in free agency.
There could be plenty of capable running backs hitting the market, led by Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. The Seahawks would not have defeated the Patriots without him.
“Ken has been awesome,” Seattle general manager John Schneider said. “He’s a free agent. We’d love to have him back.”
Other running backs who could be available include Travis Etienne, Javonte Williams, Rachaad White, Rico Dowdle and Kenneth Gainwell.
