The New York Jets have slapped the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall ahead of the NFL’s 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday.
Because the $14.293 million tag is nonexclusive, he can still negotiate with other teams and sign an offer sheet. The Jets, however, have the right of first refusal and would receive two first-round compensatory draft picks if they decide not to match.
Hall and Jets general manager Darren Mougey will continue negotiating on a long-term contract in the interim, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. They have until July 15 to do so, unless the nearly $14.3 million tag cap hit will be immediately added to Gang Green’s books.
Mougey made it known last week that he was going to use the franchise tag if the two parties could not work something out before Tuesday, adding that he wants to “find a way to keep him around.”
He also mentioned he was willing to use the transition tag, which would have cost roughly $11.3 million. However, it would have increased the likelihood of an offer sheet from another team coming in.
Regardless, it ensures that Hall will not become a free agent ahead of the new league year on March 11, and with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. Had he made it to the open market, he would have rivaled reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker as the top running back available.
The 24-year-old is coming off a career year in which he rushed for 1,065 yards, all while his name appeared in numerous trade rumors with contending teams looking for a difference-maker in the backfield.
This is the first time the Jets have used the franchise tag since putting it on safety Marcus Maye in 2021.
