With the 2026 NFL Free Agency period set to open next week, the New York Jets and general manager Darren Mougey will look to capitalize on the team’s ample amount of cap space this offseason.

Despite the free agency period not opening until next week, the struggling organization has already made its first move by placing the franchise tag on star running back Breece Hall, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

The move now makes Hall the fourth-highest-paid running back in the NFL, and will keep the prolific running back with the Jets for the 2026 NFL season. In addition to the front office placing the franchise tag on Hall, Schultz also mentioned that both parties are in communication regarding a long-term deal that would keep the highly touted playmaker in New York for the foreseeable future.

However, would an extension be the correct decision for the Jets?

Hall, a former second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has been one of the team’s top weapons on offense since joining the organization. Over the course of his four years in New York, the former Iowa State standout has recorded 3,398 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. This includes his most recent season, where he officially hit the 1,000 rushing-yard mark for the first time in his career.

On top of his success on the ground, Hall has also been a terrific receiving threat for the Jets, tallying 1,642 yards and nine touchdowns through the air during his four seasons with the franchise. While Hall has proven to be a perfect do-it-all player for New York’s offense, his extensive injury history, along with his growing age, should prevent the Jets from signing him to a long-term deal.

As a rookie, Hall played in just seven games for the Jets due to sustaining an ACL tear in his right knee. Still, Hall has been able to play in all but two games for New York since the injury, but his decline in production has been noticeably different over the past three seasons.

If the Jets want to improve their run game for the future, it’s clear that Hall may not be the long-term answer at the position. New York could bolster the room this offseason by selecting a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, such as Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. Adding more depth to the position would help head coach Aaron Glenn’s offense in the coming years, instead of signing Hall to a massive extension.