When the 2025 NFL trade deadline rolled around, the Kansas City Chiefs were sitting at 5-4 and facing some very real questions about their offensive identity-particularly in the run game. There was an opportunity on the table to address that issue in a big way: the New York Jets were making Breece Hall available for a third-round pick. A dynamic, dual-threat back with game-breaking ability, Hall could’ve added a new dimension to a Chiefs offense that, at the time, was searching for answers.
The Chiefs were reportedly in the mix, and it made sense. Their running back room had been underwhelming, and Hall’s skill set-vision, burst, soft hands out of the backfield-was exactly what Kansas City needed.
But General Manager Brett Veach wasn’t willing to meet the Jets’ asking price. Instead of a third-rounder, he offered a fourth.
The Jets passed, and Hall stayed in New York.
That decision has drawn plenty of criticism in hindsight, and it’s not hard to see why. The Chiefs’ ground game never found its footing, and the burden to make plays-on the ground and through the air-fell squarely on Patrick Mahomes’ shoulders.
That’s never a bad bet, but there’s a limit to how much even the league’s best quarterback can carry. Mahomes ended up leading the team in rushing for a significant stretch of the season, logging a career-high 422 yards on the ground and the third-most carries of his career with 64.
But it came at a cost. In Week 15, Mahomes suffered a multi-ligament knee injury while scrambling for a first down-an effort play that spoke volumes about his will to win, but also highlighted how much he was being asked to do. No one can say for certain that adding Hall would’ve prevented the injury, but giving Mahomes a legitimate threat in the backfield might’ve taken some of that pressure off.
Veach’s hesitancy likely stemmed from the fact that Hall was viewed as a rental-his contract was expiring at the end of the season. But now, with Hall set to hit free agency on March 11, the Chiefs have a second chance to make it right.
Hall will be entering his age-25 season and is coming off three straight years with over 200 carries and 1,000+ all-purpose yards. In 2025, he notched his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign, adding to a résumé that already included 188 career receptions and 87 runs of 10+ yards over four seasons. That’s not just production-that’s versatility, reliability, and explosiveness all wrapped into one.
He’s not just a runner; he’s a true three-down back who can create mismatches in the passing game and serve as a safety valve when things break down. That kind of player doesn’t just help your offense function-it can elevate it. And for a Chiefs team still built around Mahomes, that kind of support could be the difference between another deep playoff run and another season of “what ifs.”
ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently ranked Hall as the seventh-best free agent on the market, calling him “a fluid mover with good contact balance and the vision to find daylight.” That’s a fair assessment, but it might even undersell Hall’s value to a team like Kansas City.
The Chiefs had their shot at Hall midseason and didn’t pull the trigger. Now they’ve got another opportunity-this time without giving up draft capital.
If they want to keep Mahomes upright, extend their Super Bowl window, and re-establish balance on offense, they’d be wise to make a strong push when the market opens. Because if Hall ends up in another backfield come 2026, Kansas City may be kicking themselves all over again.