Breece Hall will continue as the New York Jets’ featured running back for at least one more season. The team placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Hall for the 2026 campaign, sources told NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo Tuesday. The Jets later confirmed the move.
Under the franchise tag, Hall is set to earn $14.293 million — a one-year deal calculated from the top five running back salaries in the league. The tag ensures Hall remains with the Jets while the two sides continue discussions on a potential long-term contract.
Initially, there was speculation the Jets might use the transition tag instead. That designation would have allowed the team the right of first refusal on any offers Hall received from other clubs, but would not have provided compensation if he signed elsewhere.
Hall not reaching free agency had long been anticipated. Jets general manager Darren Mougey said during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that tagging Hall would be the fallback if a deal wasn’t in place by the March 3 deadline.
"We'll find a way to keep Breece here if we can't get a deal done," Mougey said on Feb. 24. "The tags are an option. Ideally, we'd find a way to get a deal done and keep Breece around. He's a good player. We want to find a way to keep him here."
With the franchise tag now applied, Hall and the Jets have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract.
Hall, a second-round pick in 2020, turned in his best statistical season in 2025 while playing under a contract year. The 24-year-old (turning 25 on May 31) posted career highs in carries (243) and rushing yards (1,065), scoring four rushing touchdowns for a Jets offense that struggled to generate a passing threat. He also added 350 receiving yards — third-most on the team — and a touchdown through the air.
His strong performance positioned him for a significant pay increase once his rookie contract expired. That increase comes immediately through the franchise tag and could still grow if Hall reaches a long-term deal with the Jets or draws interest from other teams in the coming months.
Tagging Hall also gives the Jets a measure of continuity on an offense that will feature new offensive coordinator Frank Reich and could debut a new Week 1 starting quarterback in 2026.
