On Sunday, the Jets notched win number two on the season, and Breece Hall was a big reason why.
It could have been easy for Jets running back Breece Hall to mail it in on Sunday after the Jets amassed draft picks from the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trade a few days earlier. There were rumors that the Chiefs wanted to acquire him to improve their running game, but the Jets were seeking a third-round pick, and the Chiefs were only willing to offer a fourth-round pick.
Hall is a lame duck here. First, the team didn’t offer an extension, and second, if the Jets had a deal they couldn’t refuse, Hall would have joined Gardner and Williams on the exit ramp. That said, after the contributions Hall made in Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Browns, perhaps the Jets should reconsider their approach.
Hall caught a 42-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the fourth quarter, giving the Jets a 24-17 lead, and his 30-yard run to Browns territory set up the Jets for a 27-17 lead on Nick Folk’s field goal. He finished the game with a touchdown on 125 yards, including 83 yards on 21 carries on the ground. The game plan was simple: give Hall the ball and let him do his thing.
Hall vs. the Browns (photo courtesy Jets X-Factor)
Indeed, without Hall, the Jets would not have won their second game of the season. Jets quarterback Justin Fields offered nothing in this game by going 6-for-11 for 54 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. The Jets had just six first downs heading to the fourth quarter.
There’s no doubt the Jets running back feels his talent would be better served playing for a Super Bowl contender. He had to be hoping he would be traded. It didn’t happen, and now he has to make the most of it the rest of the season.
Yes, the Jets are building for the future, but that reality doesn’t give them the license to tank and lose the rest of the season. As Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said, his goal was to make sure the fans are proud of the team in his first season as a coach.
Hall knows he has a responsibility to play to win every game for Gang Green. He has to show young players the way. Besides, he is playing for a new contract, whether it’s with the Jets or a Super Bowl contender, and he has pride in his craft.
In recent years, so many Jets draft picks have mailed it in after understanding there’s no hope. Some, like Jamal Adams, orchestrated their departure. That’s why a win like this is something the Jets and their fans can enjoy. Hall was all in for a game the Jets had to win today. He played like a leader.
So, here’s a word of advice to the Jets: RE-SIGN BREECE HALL!
The team would be hard-pressed to find anyone better than him, certainly not in the draft. It would not be very smart to let him go for nothing. With the Jets building around plenty of draft picks, it would be wise to have Hall as part of the team’s process. They need an adult in the room who can show the young players the way.
Yes, Hall hasn’t won, but that’s not his fault. The Jets had numerous failed draft picks that never delivered, which is why the team struggled. Hall was one of the rare players who actually panned out. Moreover, Hall gives the Jets the best chance to win each week.
With a hard-driving player that is all about winning (something teams need to win), why wouldn’t the Jets want him back?
