The New York Jets have ensured that running back Breece Hall won’t reach the open market, applying the nonexclusive franchise tag just ahead of the league’s deadline. The move marks the first time the Jets have used the franchise tag since 2021, when safety Marcus Maye received it (but ultimately departed in free agency a year later.)
The designation locks Hall in for 2026 at $14.293 million unless a long-term extension is finalized before July 15. Because it’s the nonexclusive tag, Hall can explore offers from other teams, but any club signing him would have to surrender two first-round draft picks if the Jets decline to match.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported: “Tagged: As the Jets and RB Breece Hall continue to try to hammer out a lucrative long-term deal, New York is placing the $14.293 million franchise tag on its standout running back, per sources. The tag is designed as a placeholder until the two sides can reach agreement.”
General manager Darren Mougey had signaled this outcome at the NFL scouting combine, emphasizing the organization’s intent to retain one of its top offensive weapons. “We’ll find a way to keep Breece here if we can’t get a deal done. The tags are an option. Ideally, we’d find a way to get a deal done and keep Breece around. I think I’ve said that for the last year since I’ve got here. Breece is a good player. We want to find a way to keep him around.”
Negotiations toward a multiyear deal had been ongoing for weeks but did not produce an agreement before the deadline. If no extension is reached by mid-July, Hall will play the season on the one-year tender. The tag amount immediately counts against the Jets’ salary cap. The team considered using the less expensive transition tag, which would have cost roughly $11.3 million, but that option would not have included draft-pick compensation if another team signed Hall to an offer sheet.
Selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, Hall (who turns 25 on May 31st) is coming off a career-best 1,065 rushing yards in 2025 despite the Jets’ 3-14 record. Though coaches envisioned a larger receiving role, he finished with 36 catches — his second-lowest total in four seasons. Over four years, Hall has totaled 5,040 yards from scrimmage, ranking 14th league-wide in that span.
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