Jets’ biggest mistake at 2026 NFL Trade Deadline

Hall was the most obvious candidate. Allen filled in during Hall’s five-game absence with a quad injury, rushing for 504 yards and two touchdowns in five starts. He had three 100-yard games in that stretch, and that 504 yards is more than Hall has gained in any five-game stretch of his career.

The financial case was just as strong. Allen is on his rookie contract at roughly $1.2 million this season and $1.3 million in 2027. Hall signed a three-year extension in May worth $43.5 million. The Jets would have taken only a $5 million dead-cap hit in 2026 and $4 million in 2027 while gaining around $10 million in space.

Hall was also due to return at a moment when contenders needed running backs. Trading him would have turned a surplus into picks and given Allen a clean path. Kansas City reportedly offered a third-round pick for Hall a year earlier, which shows the market exists.

Allen’s Role Now Looks Muddled

The Jets said they would not trade Hall, and they did not. Some outlets called that a smart way to keep depth. But the first game back suggests the split is hurting both players. In Week 9, Hall had 15 carries to Allen’s eight and out-targeted him 4-2. Allen still played more snaps, 36 to 27, and saw the only goal-line carry, which he did not convert.

Allen finished with 33 yards on eight carries and lost a fumble in the 35-12 loss to Kansas City. The week before, he rushed 21 times for 147 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. One of the league’s best rushing performances has been replaced by a confusing committee. Glenn declined to explain how carries would be distributed.

The Jets can say they kept depth. But depth only matters if it helps win games, and the Jets are 2-7. A team with no playoff hopes should be giving its most productive young back a bigger share of the work, not splitting touches with a player on a larger contract.

Hall remains a talented runner, and he looked strong in his return with 61 rushing yards and 87 scrimmage yards. That is exactly why he had trade value. Instead, Jets fans will watch a committee while Allen’s best chance to establish himself as the lead back is delayed, and the draft pick Hall could have fetched stays on the roster.