The NFL and Roger Goodell have made amends regarding a fine handed to New York Jets running back Breece Hall last month. Upon appeal, the league office rescinded Hall’s $43,709 fine received for lowering his helmet during a run against the Atlanta Falcons, per the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Hall had received one of the most significant fines for a singular hit this season. Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman obtained a $66,666 monetary penalty for impermissible helmet use earlier this season, eventually serving a suspension. Meanwhile, fullback Keith Smith owns the most substantial on-field fine of the season, getting hit for $87,418 for unsportsmanlike conduct in Week 3, per Spotrac.
League Withdrawals Hefty Fine
The NFL continues to crack down on the “impermissible use of the helmet” in football games. The league and Roger Goodell smacked New York Jets running back Breece Hall with a massive fine for lowering his limit during a run against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. Hall took a dump-off pass for a gain of about six yards before lowering his shoulder, and naturally, his helmet, on Falcons corner A.J. Terrell. The Atlanta star defender ended up in concussion protocol after failing to get up after the hit.
Hall’s fine of $43,709 is most of the $61,931 game check he receives each week on his rookie contract. Hall is not the only running back to receive a lofty fine for lowering his helmet on a defender this season. Chicago Bears rusher D’Onta Foreman and Pittsburgh Steelers change of pace back Jaylen Warren also acquired fines north of $38,000 for lowering their helmets on defenders during the 2023 campaign.
New York Jets Running Back Breece Hall: Improved Second Season
Hall, the 36th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, rushed 223 times for 994 yards and five scores in 2023. He owned the longest rush of the season, an 83-yard scamper against the Buffalo Bills in the season opener. The Iowa State product also added a healthy 76 receptions for 591 yards and four scores. He finished the year with 1,585 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns. Hall remains one of the best young backs in the NFL, but inconsistent offensive line and quarterback play limited his massive upside.
New York Jets star quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in the first quarter of the regular season opener, thrusting former second-overall pick turned backup Zach Wilson into action. Behind an injury-riddled front five, Wilson threw just eight touchdowns against seven picks in 12 games. Fellow signal-callers Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle faired worse, combining for three passing touchdowns and eight interceptions. The New York Jets finished the season 7-10, good for third place in the AFC East.
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