New York Jets running back Breece Hall is eyeing a career year after signing a contract extension with a team that's made many offseason additions.
"I feel like I'm the only running back (who's) consistently a top-10 back in the league (but) hasn't in the past always been in the most ideal situation," Hall said, according to the New York Daily News' Antwan Staley. "(Head coach Aaron Glenn) and (general manager Darren Mougey) - I feel like they really put me in position, with all the guys we brought in and the team we're building around us, to really flourish and for me to really be myself.
"God willing, we stay healthy and everything goes as planned, I feel like this could be my best season, for sure."
On Friday, the Jets signed Hall to a three-year, $45.75-million deal that includes $29 million in guarantees, according to Spotrac. His $15.25-million average annual salary makes him the third-highest-paid rusher in the league, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.
New York placed the franchise tag on Hall in March to prevent him from hitting free agency. His name generated significant buzz around the trade deadline, but the Jets decided to retain him after instead dealing Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for multiple first-round picks.
"I was kind of just being with my feet," Hall said when asked if he anticipated being with the team long term following the prior speculation. "I was doing my offseason training, where I was, and that's really what I was focused on every day.
"I was just like, 'OK, whatever happens is gonna happen.' Luckily, thankfully, we came to an agreement. I kind of didn't really know what to expect, but I didn't really have any expectations on anything. I just kind of was going with the wind, basically."
Hall is coming off the best season of his career in which he recorded 1,415 yards from scrimmage, the 14th most among all players. The 24-year-old also posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season and ranked ninth across the league in first downs gained on the ground, according to TruMedia.
Despite Hall's individual success, the Jets finished 3-14, and their offense ranked 29th in EPA/play. Since he joined the team as a second-round pick in 2022, New York's .324 winning percentage sits as the fifth worst in the NFL.
Geno Smith is projected to be New York's starting quarterback in 2026 after being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. The 35-year-old struggled in his lone season with the Raiders, guiding them to a 2-13 record across 15 starts while leading the league in interceptions (17).
However, Smith ranked fourth in the league in passing yards (12,226) and completion percentage (68.5%) from 2022-24 as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
In another effort to bolster their roster, the Jets spent first-round picks on wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and tight end Kenyon Sadiq in April's draft.
