Breece Hall, the New York Jets’ dynamic running back, is set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026, and with the Jets undergoing a massive overhaul, there’s a real chance he could be on the move as early as this season. The Jets have a new GM, a new head coach in Aaron Glenn, and a new quarterback in Justin Fields after moving on from Aaron Rodgers—a complete culture shift that might not include Hall long-term. Enter the Kansas City Chiefs, who could be the perfect trade partner for the 23-year-old star in 2025. Here’s why this move makes sense—and why Chiefs fans should be paying attention.
Hall’s been a talent to watch since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2022 out of Iowa State, where he racked up 1,572 and 1,464 rushing yards in his final two college seasons. Despite a torn ACL cutting his rookie year short (7 games, 463 yards, 5.8 yards per carry, 5 TDs), he’s bounced back with two healthy seasons: 994 yards and 9 TDs in 2023, and 876 yards with 8 TDs in 2024. He’s also a weapon in the passing game, with 591 receiving yards in 2023 and 483 in 2024. But here’s the rub—Hall hasn’t cracked 1,000 rushing yards in a season, averaging just 12 carries per game in 2024 as the Jets leaned on a rotation with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. For a player with Hall’s pedigree, that’s underwhelming, and it mirrors the frustration teammate Garrett Wilson has felt in New York’s offense.
The Jets’ situation screams trade potential. With Allen and Davis waiting in the wings—both younger and cheaper options—committing to a multi-year deal for Hall doesn’t make sense for a team in rebuild mode. Hall’s value is still high after back-to-back productive seasons, and moving him now could net the Jets a third-round pick, a solid return for a running back in a league that’s devalued the position. The Jets’ focus is on building around Fields, Wilson, and a new core, and Hall might not fit their long-term plans.
So why the Chiefs? For one, there’s the hometown angle—Hall grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, just two and a half hours from Kansas City, and played college ball at Iowa State, a three-hour drive away. But the football fit is even more compelling. Kansas City has always prioritized the running back position, from drafting Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round in 2020 to signing Kareem Hunt as a stopgap after Isiah Pacheco’s injury in 2024. Speaking of the Chiefs’ backfield, Pacheco and Hunt are both free agents after 2025, per Spotrac, leaving only Carson Steele under contract for 2026. Hall, at 23, could step in as a long-term RB1, bringing the kind of dual-threat ability Andy Reid loves—think Pacheco’s speed with better hands (Hall’s 1,292 receiving yards over three seasons speak for themselves).
Hall would thrive in Kansas City’s offense. Patrick Mahomes and Reid have a history of elevating skill players, and with the Chiefs coming off a Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles, they’re in win-now mode. Hall’s 4.2 yards per carry in 2024 might not jump off the page, but in New York, he’s been stuck in a dysfunctional offense with inconsistent quarterback play. In K.C., he’d benefit from Mahomes’ play-action fakes and Reid’s creative schemes, potentially pushing him over the 1,000-yard mark while adding 500-plus receiving yards as a checkdown option. The Chiefs also signed Elijah Mitchell this offseason, but he’s more of a change-of-pace back, not a lead dog like Hall could be.
For the Jets, trading Hall now maximizes his value before he hits free agency in 2026, when the running back market could be even tougher—last year’s free agency was brutal for RBs, per Last Word on Sports. For the Chiefs, Hall’s youth and versatility make him a perfect fit to keep their offense humming as they chase another ring. This trade might not happen tomorrow, but as the 2025 season unfolds, don’t be surprised if Hall swaps the Big Apple for the Heartland—he’d look pretty good in Chiefs red.
