Signing Breece Hall Was Priority For Jets, Who View Him As Foundational Piece

He sounded a bit more pessimistic that Saturday afternoon – justifiable after enduring the 72-hour madness of the NFL Draft – but Darren Mougey’s plan never changed. He believed he and Nicole Lynn, Breece Hall’s agent, were close to an extension before the franchise tag deadline. They couldn’t quite get there, so the Jets tagged Hall. 

But after the draft, the Jets GM would reconvene with Lynn in hopes of ironing something out. 

And that’s exactly what happened. 

On Friday, after the Jets re-engaged with Hall earlier in the week, the two sides came to terms on a three-year extension worth a max value of $45.75 million, sources told SNY. 

Getting something done with Hall was a priority for the Jets this offseason. They view him as a foundational piece and cog of their offense. While Geno Smith is now at quarterback, the future is likely coming in the 2027 draft. The Jets' goal is to create an environment where, once they get him, they are perfectly suited to develop him. 

It’s a different approach than when the team selected Sam Darnold (2018) and Zach Wilson (2021). Those years, the Jets drafted the quarterback, then focused on the rest of the roster. Now they’ll insert a passer into an offense in a much healthier state. 

They have a line, led by bookend tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou. Three receivers (Garrett Wilson, AD Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr.). Two tight ends (Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor). And, now, Hall is under contract for the next three years. 

Hall, since the Jets selected him in the second round out of Iowa in 2022, has averaged 90 total yards per game. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time this past season (1,065), adding four touchdowns. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry (third highest in his career) and caught 36 passes for 350 yards and a score. 

It’s important to note the details of Hall’s deal. The $45.75 million is an average of $15.25 million per year, which would make Hall the third highest-paid back in the NFL. That is the maximum value of the contract, though – taking into consideration escalators, incentives, and non-guarantees. Sources told SNY there is no guaranteed money in the third year, with one official saying it’s essentially a “team option.” 

The contract is essentially a two-year, $29 million, fully-guaranteed extension. That true value is $14.5 per year. That figure still jumps the Kenneth Walker $14.35 per-year average he got from the Chiefs in free agency this year, a sticking point for Hall’s side. 

Whether looking at the true value ($14.5 million) or max ($15.25 million), it’s a significant investment from the Jets. The contract, the team believes, will look like a bargain if Hall does what they believe he is capable of. Bijan Robinson (Falcons) and Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) are expected to reset the market when they get their contracts. That would push Hall from the NFL’s fourth highest-paid back, down to the sixth. 

Hall, who will turn 25 later this month, has the opportunity to double-dip. He will be 27 when the guaranteed money runs out on his deal. A second extension (a rarity in the NFL) would then be on the table.