Jets star faces make-or-break year with payday on the line

Breece Hall's 2023 season was a breakout success for the New York Jets, as the running back amassed over 1,500 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns, cementing his status as a rising star despite recovering from an ACL tear.

Hall's performance significantly regressed in 2024, marked by fewer explosive runs, six fumbles, and a career-low 4.2 yards per carry. He later attributed part of this decline to playing through a serious knee issue, which also led to trade rumors clouding his future with the Jets.

A key factor in his 2023 success was creative offensive usage by coaches Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Downing, who moved Hall around the formation to maximize his speed. This approach changed in 2024 as the Jets attempted to shift Hall into a more traditional between-the-tackles runner.

Under new coaches Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, the Jets are expected to transition to a rotational backfield strategy. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who previously developed Jahmyr Gibbs, aims to utilize Hall similarly as a dual-threat back, aligning with modern NFL trends favoring efficiency and explosion over heavy workloads.

Supporting backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis provide solid depth, but the most encouraging development for a potential Hall bounce-back is the significantly improved offensive line. The unit, featuring first-round pick Armand Membou alongside Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, and Alijah Vera-Tucker, is now considered one of the league's most athletic and promising, tailored for a versatile back like Hall.

Hall faces a crucial contract year in 2024. With the Jets also needing to extend other key 2022 first-round picks like Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson, and the recently extended Garrett Wilson, the improved scheme, offensive line, and supporting cast are in place. The onus is now on Hall to prove he remains a franchise cornerstone worthy of a second contract.