Reporter explains why Jets made criticized Breece Hall franchise-tag decision

The New York Jets, somewhat surprisingly, received criticism from unnamed NFL executives after the Jets used the franchise tag instead of the transition tag to retain the rights to running back Breece Hall for the 2026 season.

On Wednesday, Jets and NFL reporter Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News explained why the club wasn't willing to risk losing Hall this month. 

Jets viewed franchise tagging Breece Hall as "necessary"

"With the Jets having so many holes on both sides of the ball, keeping Hall was necessary," Staley shared. "Especially with a likely new starting quarterback and a new offensive system in 2026, with Frank Reich now the offensive coordinator. ...Some naysayers have also noted that the $14.29M franchise tag price for running backs is high. But had Hall joined the 2026 free-agent running back group with Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne Jr., Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier, and Kenneth Gainwell, he would have commanded top dollar, with a similar annual salary."

The previously mentioned executives who spoke with NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom seemed skeptical that Hall would've earned "top dollar with a similar annual salary" had he been permitted to hit the open market. Meanwhile, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic mentioned that the transition tag for Hall would have been worth roughly $11.728M. 

Per NFL rules, the Jets would have received no draft-pick compensation had they used the transition tag on Hall and then chosen not to match an offer made to the 24-year-old by a different club. The Jets will instead receive two first-round draft picks in exchange for Hall's services if they don't match an offer from a different team with him on the franchise tag. 

Why Jets were willing to "overpay" for Breece Hall

"In the grand scheme of things," Staley continued, "the Jets giving Hall an extra $3M for the franchise tag isn’t bad for business. They gained $11.8M in salary cap space in the Jermaine Johnson trade for T’Vondre Sweat last week."

If "overpaying" to keep Hall helps head coach Aaron Glenn keep his job through next offseason, Glenn will consider it a wise investment.