Chicago Bears Urged To Trade For 24-Year-Old Running Back Amid Run Game Struggles

The Chicago Bears, under the new offensive leadership of head coach Ben Johnson, have shown flashes of promise. However, a glaring issue persists through the early part of the season: a lack of an explosive and efficient running game. While the overall yardage numbers may seem respectable, the underlying metrics reveal an offense struggling to generate consistent, positive gains on the ground. Meanwhile, the New York Jets, off to a disappointing 0-3 start, could soon be looking to the future.

This sets the stage for a compelling, albeit hypothetical, trade proposal. This article explores the case for a Chicago Bears trade for Breece Hall, analyzing how the move could provide a massive boost to Chicago’s offense, why the Jets might be willing to part with their star running back, and what a potential trade package could look like.

Why a Breece Hall Trade Makes Sense for the Chicago Bears

Through the first three games of the season, the Bears’ rushing attack has been a point of concern. The offense has registered a negative Expected Points Added (EPA) per rush, signaling that, on average, their running plays are hurting their chances to score more than helping. While free agent acquisition D’Andre Swift has been serviceable, the offense is missing a true game-changing presence in the backfield.

This is where Breece Hall comes in. The 24-year-old is one of the most dynamic and punishing runners in the NFL. He possesses a rare combination of power to run between the tackles and elite, track-star speed to break off long gains. This was proven in 2023 when Next Gen Stats clocked him at 21.5 mph on a 72-yard touchdown run, a remarkable feat for any player, let alone one who had recovered from an ACL injury the previous year.

The Perfect Fit for Ben Johnson’s Offense

Ben Johnson’s offensive philosophy is built on multiplicity, motion, and a powerful play-action passing game. To make that system truly effective, the threat of the run must be legitimate and explosive. A home-run threat like Hall would add a new dimension to Johnson’s scheme, forcing defenses to commit extra players to the box and creating more favorable one-on-one matchups for quarterback Caleb Williams and his receivers.

Hall is not just a runner; he is a versatile weapon in the passing game. In his career, he has proven to be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, capable of turning short passes into significant gains. This dual-threat ability would fit seamlessly into Johnson’s creative play-calling, allowing him to deploy Hall in various formations and stress defenses in multiple ways. Adding Hall to an offense that already features Williams, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze could elevate the unit from promising to truly formidable.

A Manageable Financial Commitment

From a financial standpoint, a trade for Hall is incredibly feasible for the Bears. He is currently in the final year of his rookie contract, carrying a modest $4.34 million cap hit for the 2025 season. This allows the Bears to acquire a premier talent without disrupting their current salary cap structure.

The move would essentially act as a high-impact rental, giving general manager Ryan Pace and the front office the remainder of the season to evaluate Hall’s fit within the team culture and offensive system. If he proves to be the dynamic force they envision, the Bears would be in a prime position to negotiate a long-term extension before he hits unrestricted free agency in 2026. If not, they could let him walk and potentially receive a compensatory draft pick in return.

Why the New York Jets Might Consider a Trade

At first glance, trading a 24-year-old star running back seems counterintuitive. However, several factors could make the Jets receptive to an offer, especially if their season continues on its current downward trajectory.

1. A New General Manager and a Potential Rebuild

The Jets hired a new general manager, Darren Mougey, in January. Hall was drafted by the previous regime, meaning Mougey has no personal investment in him. If the Jets continue to lose, a new GM may look to accumulate draft capital to build the roster in his own vision rather than commit significant money to a running back, a position that many front offices are hesitant to invest in long-term.

2. Looming Contract Extensions

The Jets have already committed massive extensions to other young cornerstones of their team, such as cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. With a Breece Hall extension on the horizon, the front office will have to decide if they want to allocate a third major contract to a running back. Given the short shelf life and high injury risk associated with the position, they may prefer to trade Hall for a valuable draft pick now rather than risk losing him for only a compensatory pick in 2026 or signing him to a deal that could hamper their financial flexibility.

3. The Value of Draft Picks

For a team struggling to win, high-value draft picks are often more valuable than a running back, no matter how talented. By trading Hall, the Jets could acquire a Day 2 draft pick that could be used to address other, more pressing needs on their roster, such as the offensive line or defensive depth.

What Would a Trade for Breece Hall Cost?

Given Hall’s talent, age, and manageable contract, the Jets would rightfully expect a significant return. However, the depreciating value of the running back position across the league means the Bears might not have to part with a first-round pick.

A realistic trade package could center around a conditional mid-round draft pick. For example, the Bears could offer a 2026 conditional fifth-round pick that escalates to a fourth-round pick if Hall achieves certain performance milestones (e.g., 1,200 all-purpose yards or 10 total touchdowns). This structure protects the Bears if Hall underperforms or gets injured, while still providing the Jets with a valuable asset for the future.

Conclusion

A Chicago Bears trade for Breece Hall is a move that makes a tremendous amount of sense for both organizations. For the Bears, it’s a relatively low-risk, high-reward opportunity to inject elite, game-breaking talent into an offense that is on the cusp of breaking out. Hall is the type of player who can transform the running game from a weakness into a significant strength, unlocking the full potential of Ben Johnson’s creative scheme.

For the Jets, it’s a pragmatic decision that allows them to get ahead of a difficult contract negotiation and acquire valuable draft capital to aid in a potential retooling of their roster. While trading a player of Hall’s caliber is never easy, the long-term strategic benefits could outweigh the short-term loss. It’s a hypothetical scenario, but one that Ryan Pace and the Bears’ front office should seriously consider picking up the phone to explore.