There’s no shortage of NFL teams heading into the offseason with questions at running back, but three stand out for their glaring need at the position: the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Kansas City Chiefs. Each of them is looking for a spark in the backfield-and they might all be eyeing the same potential solution: Breece Hall.
Let’s start with the numbers. Both the Vikings and the Chiefs finished in the bottom 10 in rushing yards per game during the 2025 season.
For two teams with playoff aspirations-one of which just wrapped up another deep postseason run-that’s a problem that needs fixing fast. Meanwhile, the Commanders are entering a new era under a fresh coaching regime, and their backfield depth chart is wide open.
They don’t have a clear RB1 heading into 2026, and that’s not a spot you want to be in when trying to build a stable offensive identity.
Enter Breece Hall.
The Jets’ 24-year-old running back just posted a career-high 1,065 rushing yards. While his receiving numbers dipped, he still proved to be one of the few consistent bright spots in a Jets offense that struggled to find rhythm all season.
He’s explosive in space, patient behind the line, and has the kind of home-run potential that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. In short, Hall is the type of back who can shift the dynamic of an entire offense-and that’s exactly what makes him so intriguing to teams like Minnesota, Washington, and Kansas City.
But here’s the catch: the Jets don’t seem too eager to let him go.
According to reports, New York would prefer to work out a long-term extension with Hall. That makes sense given how committed they are to building a run-first identity under head coach Aaron Glenn. Hall may not have had his most complete season, but he did enough to earn the trust of the coaching staff-and that’s not something you casually move on from.
Still, the Jets have options. If they can’t hammer out a long-term deal, they could use the franchise tag to keep Hall in-house.
That would also give them some flexibility: tag him, then explore trade possibilities. It’s not the cleanest route, but it’s one teams often use when trying to retain leverage with high-value players.
And make no mistake-Hall would have plenty of suitors.
If he hits the trade market, teams like the Chiefs, Commanders, and Vikings won’t be the only ones calling. But any team looking to land him would have to be ready to pay a premium.
That likely means giving up draft capital and handing Hall a new contract that could push north of $10 million per year. That’s a big commitment for a running back, especially in today’s NFL, where the position has been devalued in recent years.
But Hall is the kind of talent who might just be worth it.
There’s also the question of whether Hall even wants to stay in New York. Since being drafted by the Jets, he’s experienced more losing than winning-and there’s no guarantee that changes anytime soon. If Hall wants a fresh start, the franchise tag could become less of a retention tool and more of a trade chip.
So where does this all leave us? It’s clear the Jets want to keep Hall, but it’s far from certain that the feeling is mutual.
And even if he does move on, it won’t be as simple as signing a free-agent deal. The most likely outcome?
The Jets tag Hall, then explore their options. Whether that ends with him in a new uniform or back in green and white remains to be seen.
But one thing’s for sure: teams like the Vikings, Commanders, and Chiefs will be watching closely. Because if Hall becomes available, he instantly becomes one of the most impactful offensive players on the market-and for these teams, that could be the missing piece.