Hours before the tag deadline, the Jets have made their call with respect to Breece Hall. The franchise tag will be applied, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Jets have since announced the news, with the non-exclusive tag being used. 
Conversations on a long-term deal were ongoing, and today’s move will buy time for further negotiations to take place. The transition tag had been floated as a potential route for the Jets to take in this case, but SNY’s Connor Hughes reports multiple teams made it clear at last week’s Combine they would be prepared to move forward with an offer sheet in that event. To prevent such a scenario, the franchise tag will be used instead.
As a result, Hall is now on course to collect $14.29MM in 2026. That figure will be fully guaranteed, and it will match the 24-year-old’s cap charge for next season. Hughes reports the Jets expect Hall to play on the tag, but there are now several months of runway for team and player to work out an extension.
A report from earlier today indicated an agreement on that front was not close, pointing toward the tag being used. GM Darren Mougey had already made it clear New York would be tagging Hall in one fashion or another, and choosing the more common option ensures he will remain in place. Attention will now turn to the progress of extension talks through the spring. July 15 is the deadline for all tagged players to work out a long-term agreement with their respective teams.
This is the first time the Jets have used the franchise tag since 2021 when they did so with safety Marcus Maye. No multiyear accord wound up being agreed to in that case, and Maye departed the following year. Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn have shown a willingness to trade away players they inherited upon arrival in 2024, and more moves in that regard could be coming. Hall did not find himself in position to land an extension last spring, but today’s news confirms he is still at least in New York’s short-term plans.
The Iowa State product set a new career high in rushing yards this past season, topping 1,000 for the first time. Hall has remained a focal point on offense since recovering from an ACL tear in his rookie campaign, handling between 266 and 299 touches each of the past three seasons. Even if the Jets manage to make needed improvements on offense this spring, Hall figures to once again be a major presence for the unit. Another strong showing would boost his market value for 2027 (if applicable).
The Jets entered Tuesday with nearly $88MM in cap space, so absorbing the cap hit of this tag will not be difficult even if no long-term agreement winds up being finalized. Aside from Hall negotiations, New York’s attention will turn to the matter of finding a new starting quarterback. Despite owning the second overall pick in April’s draft (along with another first-rounder), bringing in a rookie capable of handling QB1 duties right away may not be feasible. As such, at least one veteran addition when free agency opens next week will be something to watch for.
Only three running back contracts currently carry an average annual value higher than the price of Hall’s tag. It will be interesting to see if he manages to land security beyond 2026 as negotiations continue or if he will enter next season as a pending free agent.
free the hostages
Because of the frequency of injuries at the position and the relative low contract numbers across the board, almost all quality RBs exiting their rookie contract will receive a franchise tag. Hall should consider himself lucky he was drafted outside the first round. Otherwise he would’ve had to play through the 5th year option as well.
NFLPA is a joke and really needs to negotiate better for its membership. It’s ridiculous that someone who could potentially touch the ball %40 of your offensive plays could end up playing 6 years before the chance at long term security. It’s a near impossible task to navigate successfully.
The Jets are going to be awful. They should save money where they can and invest in their offensive line. It will help when they eventually draft a rookie QB down the road. Braelon Allen can handle the RB1 duties (he’s on a rookie contract).
They don’t have the greatest track record of identifying and developing QB’s. Zach Wilson, Sam Darold, & M Sanchez all are recent 1st round picks for them. Only Darold turned out and that’s after he left the team.
Their offensive line is in pretty good shape and they have tons of cap space and draft capital. They don’t need to save this money to afford one guard.
Maybe guards, they got their tackles, Membou just had a fantastic rookie year
Poor guy
Easy choice. Lose him for nothing or have his rights for another year at reasonable money whether they keep him or trade him. My sympathy to Hall, but it’s the obvious right move for the Jets.