Jets seem prepared to make this Breece Hall franchise-tag, free-agency decision

Running back Breece Hall was among the New York Jets players who admitted this past December that the club reclaiming sole possession of the longest active postseason drought among the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and MLS (15 years) "definitely starts to weigh on you." 

Hall began Tuesday on track to reach free agency when the new league year opens on March 11. However, it sounds like his rights will be retained before the deadline for teams to use their franchise tags arrives on March 3 at 4 p.m. ET.

Will Jets let Breece Hall test free agency?

"It feels likely that the Jets slap Hall with the non-exclusive franchise tag or the transition tag and then figure something out from there," team reporter Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic shared on Tuesday. "Doing that would allow them to either negotiate a new deal with Hall, force him to sign the tender (or hold out), or allow them to see if they can reel in another starting-caliber running back elsewhere in free agency before making a decision on him." 

Under the non-exclusive franchise tag, the Jets could match an offer made to Hall by another team or receive two first-round draft picks in exchange for his services. The Jets would not receive draft-pick compensation if they used the transition tag and then didn't match an offer for Hall. The franchise tag for Hall is set to cost the Jets around $14.536M for the 2026 season. 

The Jets acquired draft assets for cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams ahead of this past November's trade deadline, but Gang Green elected to hold onto Hall. ESPN stats show that Hall ultimately tallied team highs of 243 carries, 1,065 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns (tied with quarterback Justin Fields) this past season. Hall also recorded 36 catches for 350 yards and a score. 

Why Jets can use the franchise tag on Breece Hall

Rosenblatt mentioned that a Jets team that is coming off a 3-14 season and that shouldn't want to lose a single top-tier offensive playmaker is set to have roughly $79.7M in salary-cap space. In short, the Jets can afford to pay the worth of the franchise tag if they don't come to an agreement with Hall on a multiyear deal. 

"It would be bad business to simply let Hall leave without a fight," Rosenblatt added. 

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was somewhat lucky to retain his job after his first season in charge. One would think he will want to have Hall on the roster when the club opens springtime workouts.