Jets Give Breece Hall $45.75M Extension, Third-Richest RB Deal in NFL

The New York Jets agreed to a three-year contract extension with running back Breece Hall worth $45.75 million. That deal averages $15.25 million per season, placing Hall third among the NFL's highest-paid running backs behind Saquon Barkley's $20.6 million and Christian McCaffrey's $19 million annually.

Hall has topped 1,000 rushing yards just once in four seasons. Barkley has a 2,000-yard season on his resume, while McCaffrey has eclipsed 2,000 yards from scrimmage three times. The Jets see greater potential in their 2022 second-round pick and kept Hall during last season's trade deadline sell-off.

Of Hall's new money, $29 million is guaranteed over the first two seasons. If things do not work out, the pact effectively becomes a two-year deal, and Hall hits free agency again at age 26.

The Jets recently traded first-round picks Sauce Gardner, selected No. 1 overall in 2022, and Quinnen Williams, a 2019 first-rounder. Both deals brought substantial compensation but left some expectations unmet.

Last season, the Jets averaged 17.6 points per game with Hall, ranking 29th in the NFL. Hall rushed for 1,065 yards at a career average of 4.5 yards per carry, but the offense remained unspectacular.

New coach Aaron Glenn and Jets fans expect improvement this season. That could begin with offensive coordinator Frank Reich calling plays for quarterback Geno Smith instead of Justin Fields. Smith led the NFL in interceptions last year with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Hall nears his prime, and the hope is he pairs with Smith for big gains, perhaps on checkdown passes to complement Hall's rushing average. The third-highest running back salary in the NFL goes to a solid player at a non-premium position. The move offers plenty to like and plenty to doubt.