Last season was a down one for most members of the New York Jets. That was the case regardless of draft status, experience or role. Even running back Breece Hall, one of the brightest young stars on the roster, saw his production take a hit.
As a result, major media outlets aren’t buying much Jets stock with training camp approaching. In his ranking of all 32 projected starting halfbacks for 2025, former NFL All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew has Hall checking in at the No. 19 spot.
It’s an underwhelming position for Hall, albeit a fitting one considering his developmental curve.
Breece Hall Not Getting Total Benefit of Doubt for Recent Struggles
Jones-Drew, in fairness to Hall, recognizes the lackluster environment he’s played in. Poor surrounding talent and overall structure haven’t helped matters. Still, the former second-round pick isn’t getting the full benefit of the doubt.
“Hall’s efficiency has decreased in each of the past two seasons, in part due to the team’s poor quarterback play,” Jones-Drew said. “He now enters a contract year in yet another season of change for the Jets’ offense, which will be led by first-time OC Tanner Engstrand and new QB Justin Fields.”
After playing in seven games as a rookie, the 2023 campaign saw Hall break out. In 17 games, he ran for 994 yards and 5 touchdowns while adding 591 more receiving yards and an additional 4 scores through the air. He seemed destined to cement himself as a star for the Jets last year, but that didn’t happen.
In fact, the exact opposite did. Hall’s volume and per-snap production alike took small hits. His yards from scrimmage fell from 1,585 to 1,359, and his average yards per touch came down from 5.3 to 5.1. Not only that, but advanced stats from Pro Football Focus also reflected a fall from grace.
Jones-Drew isn’t the only one who’s soured on Hall a bit. The league appears to have done the same.
Potential Jets Halfback Committee Could See Hall Post Underwhelming 2025 Volume
With a letdown campaign now behind him, Hall is focused on earning his respect back. He wants to establish himself as a premier running back in 2025. Good health and good intentions are pluses, but whether those elements align with opportunity remains to be seen.
Take the Jets’ new dynamics under offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, for example. Jones-Drew certainly did, making the case for more of a by-committee approach.
“Engstrand comes over from Detroit, where the offense was led by a two-headed monster in the backfield; he could apply a similar approach with Hall and dual-threat QB Fields leading the charge,” Jones-Drew said. “That said, Hall could see some of his opportunities go to Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, as new head coach Aaron Glenn says he prefers a three-RB rotation. I believe Hall will remain the lead back in New York — at least until the end of this season — but time will tell how the backfield load is divvied up.”
A rotation would have an undeniable impact on Hall’s outlook. Even if he made the most of his touches, getting considerably fewer could prevent him from climbing the ranks. On the other hand, all it takes is a return to form in the scoring department or a push for 1,000 rushing yards to get folks back in on Hall. Neither requires an increase in workload. Maintaining it is fine. He doesn’t need to be snap-dominant.
He does, however, need to be better.
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