Running backs James Cook and Kyren Williams recently signed new contracts. Breece Hall could be the next dynamic runner to get paid, but the New York Jets back isn't focused on that.
"They've done much more in the league than I have," Hall said on Wednesday about Cook's and Williams' extensions, via the New York Daily News. "They've been in better situations, and they are both very good players.
"For me, I feel like I'm just as talented as anyone, but those guys are two really good running backs, and they deserve their payday, and I'm happy for them."
Hall has yet to hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark, falling six yards shy in 2023, and generating 876 yards and five touchdowns on 209 totes in 2024. His 54.8 rush yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry last year were career lows.
Williams and Cook have each surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
It's not just the two RBs who have seen paydays as it relates to Hall. The Jets shelled out big bucks for cornerback Sauce Gardner and receiver Garrett Wilson, both part of Hall's draft class, before seeing their fit under the new coaching staff.
Hall led the Jets with 1,359 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
The back's 5.5 yards per touch since 2022 ranks fifth among running backs (minimum 300 touches), per NFL Research.
Coming off a down-ish season, it's little surprise that Hall isn't banging the drum for a new contract. His leverage for a payday would be much greater if he smashes it in 2025 under new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
Much offseason focus for Hall surrounds his usage in the new offense, as Engstrand tries to get the home-run threat more touches in space. Despite expectations for more use in the passing attack, Hall said little has changed for him this season.
"I think people try to make a skewed version of the truth of it changing," Hall said. "I've always been able to catch the ball. I've always been a receiving threat. I just feel like last season, just stuff doesn't always work out how you expect it to.
"I've said this before, when you're one of the better players on the team or being one of the faces of the team, when stuff doesn't go well all the time, you're at the forefront of not the blame, but stuff falls on you a little bit. I guess, unfortunately, I happen to be one of those players. But for me, nothing's changed. I'm still the same threat that I've always been."
If Hall blasts off under Engstrand, he'll get his big payday, eventually.
