Could Breece Hall Be the Broncos’ Missing Piece? A Closer Look at Denver’s Backfield Plans
Last offseason, the Denver Broncos made a clear statement: they were going to fix the run game. They invested a second-round pick in rookie R.J.
Harvey and later brought in veteran J.K. Dobbins to provide experience and explosiveness.
For a while, that plan looked like it might pay off. Dobbins was running like one of the league’s top backs-until a season-ending Lisfranc injury derailed both his year and, in many ways, Denver’s ground attack.
After Dobbins went down, the Broncos’ rushing offense never quite found its rhythm again. Harvey showed flashes-especially as a pass-catcher-but struggled to consistently move the chains on the ground, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. Despite his 12 total touchdowns, the rookie couldn’t fully shoulder the load as a lead back, especially down the stretch and into the postseason.
Now, with Dobbins hitting free agency and recovering from a serious foot injury, Denver is once again staring at a familiar question: who’s going to carry the rock in 2026?
If the Broncos are serious about contending next season-and with a young quarterback like Bo Nix under center, they should be-then adding a reliable, dynamic presence in the backfield isn’t just a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Enter: Breece Hall
If Breece Hall hits the open market, he’s going to turn heads-and for good reason. Despite being stuck in a struggling New York Jets offense, Hall still managed to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards, average 4.4 yards per carry, and rack up over 1,400 yards from scrimmage.
He did that without consistent quarterback play and with defenses keying in on him every week. That kind of production under those circumstances tells you everything you need to know about the kind of player Hall is.
At 5-foot-11 and 217 pounds, Hall brings a blend of power, speed, and versatility that would immediately elevate Denver’s offense. He’s not just a between-the-tackles runner-he’s a legitimate threat in the passing game, too, as evidenced by his 36 receptions for 350 yards and a touchdown last season.
And here’s the kicker: Hall is just 24 years old. He’s entering his prime, and backs with his kind of all-around skill set rarely become available in free agency.
Why Hall Makes Sense for Denver
The Broncos don’t have a ton of glaring roster holes heading into the offseason. They’ve got cap space, a young quarterback they believe in, and a roster that’s built to compete now. Adding a player like Hall could be the kind of splash move that takes them from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.
Pairing Hall with Harvey would give Denver a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield. Harvey’s speed and pass-catching ability would complement Hall’s power and vision. That kind of versatility would open up the play-action game for Bo Nix and give head coach Sean Payton more flexibility in his offensive play-calling.
Let’s not forget-Denver’s offense struggled with consistency last year, especially when the run game sputtered. A back like Hall can be a tone-setter, the kind of player who takes pressure off the quarterback and keeps defenses honest.
The Other Side of the Coin
Of course, there are reasons to be cautious. First and foremost, there’s no guarantee Hall will even be available.
The Jets have plenty of cap space and reportedly turned down trade offers for him at the deadline. It’s entirely possible they place the franchise tag on him and keep him in New York for at least one more year.
Even if Hall does hit the market, the Broncos may decide to go in a different direction. They could look for a more traditional power back to pair with Harvey-someone who can grind out tough yards between the tackles without commanding a top-tier salary. That approach would allow them to allocate their cap space elsewhere, perhaps on the defensive side of the ball or at wide receiver.
There’s also the question of cost. Hall is likely to command somewhere in the $10-14 million per year range. That’s a significant investment for a position where production can often be found at a lower price point-either through the draft or by targeting undervalued veterans.
And while Hall has been durable recently, running backs carry inherent risk. One injury, one step lost, and that investment can look a lot different in a hurry.
Final Thoughts
There’s no question Breece Hall would make the Broncos better. He’s a proven playmaker who’s produced in less-than-ideal circumstances, and his skill set fits perfectly with what Denver needs in its backfield. If he becomes available, the Broncos should absolutely explore the possibility of signing him.
But they’ll need to weigh that potential impact against the price tag and the opportunity cost. Is Hall the missing piece that pushes this team into true Super Bowl contention? Or would a more cost-effective option-like a downhill power back to complement Harvey-be the smarter path?
Either way, Denver can’t afford to come up short in the run game again. Whether it’s Hall or someone else, expect the Broncos to be aggressive in finding the right backfield partner for Bo Nix.
Because if they get this move right, it could be the one that makes all the difference.