The New York Jets made their intentions clear when they signed Breece Hall to a three-year, $43.50 million extension this offseason.
The deal locks in New York's top offensive weapon through the 2026 season and beyond, a clear signal of how central he is to Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich's vision for the team.
Hall has spent all four years of his career with the Jets, piling up 755 carries for 3,398 yards, 188 receptions for 1,642 yards and 27 total touchdowns since entering the league.
With Geno Smith now settling in as the starting quarterback and the offense adjusting to a new system under Reich, Hall's role as a steady, reliable presence in the backfield has only grown in importance.
That is why Monday's scare during practice caught the attention of everyone watching. Hall went down untouched shortly after making a catch, and early reports had him heading to the sideline with trainers after appearing to injure his midsection.
The moment was enough to briefly rattle a fan base still adjusting to a retooled roster. Glenn addressed the situation shortly after, offering a fairly calm update on his running back's condition.
"I don't think it was a big deal," Glenn said, per ESPN reporter Rich Cimini.
Still, keeping tabs on Hall's health could end up being one of the more important storylines of New York's season.
A functioning ground game takes pressure off a quarterback, particularly one working through offensive changes, and Hall's blend of speed, patience and vision gives Reich a legitimate foundation to build around heading into the year.
