Some guys make history with a single incredible play. Breece Hall did it quietly, over four years, while working through one of the worst injuries a running back can have.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler dropped his annual top 10 running back rankings this week, and Hall landed at No. 10. That’s fine, whatever. But buried in the breakdown was a stat that actually stops you: Hall now holds the Jets franchise record for most scrimmage yards through a player’s first four seasons. That’s 5,040 yards. And he missed most of his rookie year with a torn ACL.
Think about that. The Jets have been around since 1960. They’ve had Curtis Martin, Freeman McNeil, Emerson Boozer, LaDainian Tomlinson’s late-career cameo. None of them put up more yards in their first four years than Hall. And Hall basically lost a full season to injury. That’s not just impressive. It’s a little weird.
How He Did It
Hall doesn’t blow you away with top-end speed or ridiculous one-cut burst. He’s just really good at everything. A high-ranking NFL executive told Fowler that Hall is a true three-down back who can run through tackles, catch passes, and create yards on his own.
“He’s a big back at 220-plus pounds with the ability to create on his own with good body control and is strong through contact,” the exec said.
The Jets clearly agree. They locked him up this offseason with a three-year, $43.5 million extension. That deal came after Hall’s first 1,000-yard rushing season, which feels like it should’ve happened sooner but the Jets offense has been a mess.
He was also one of the hottest names on the trade market last fall. Teams called. The Jets listened. But in the end they kept him, and that extension basically closes the door on any Hall trade talk for the foreseeable future.
What Comes Next
Here’s the part that should make Jets fans optimistic. New York actually added weapons this offseason. Multiple weapons. Not just one guy and hope. For the last couple years it’s been Hall and Garrett Wilson doing everything while the rest of the offense sputtered. Now there’s help. If the offensive line stays healthy and the new pieces work, Hall could see lighter boxes and more room to run.
That’s a huge deal for a back who already averages 4.7 yards per carry for his career. If the Jets get even average quarterback play and keep defenses honest, Hall could push for 1,500 yards from scrimmage without breaking a sweat.
The record he already owns is cool. But it feels like Hall is just getting started.
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