The New York Jets decided to keep Breece Hall ahead of the 2025 National Football League trade deadline and are going to ride it out with him for at least the rest of the season.
After that, Hall’s future is up in the air. He’s 24 years old and is in the middle of the best overall season of his career to this point. With free agency coming, he couldn’t have asked for better timing for his career year. He’s the focal point of the Jets’ rushing attack and the team’s top overall weapon with Garrett Wilson expected to miss a few weeks due to a knee injury.
Hall recently made it sound like he’s open to continuing his career in New York if the team is as well. But, what could a new deal cost? ESPN’s Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler ranked Hall as the sixth-best pending free agent and used Josh Jacobs’ four-year, $48 million contract as a comp.
“What he brings: He’s a fluid mover with good contact balance and the vision to find daylight, and he brings a dual-threat element to the backfield,” Bowen said. “Hall has 174 receptions in his career, while averaging 92.0 total yards. He also has 82 rushes of 10 or more yards over 3½ seasons, so he’s a three-down back with big-play juice.
“What we’re hearing: Hall was coveted at the trade deadline,” Fowler said. “That the Jets wanted a third-round pick in return for a running back reminds that Hall has top-end talent. And my sense is he will do just fine in free agency — think Josh Jacobs’ four-year, $48 million deal signed in March 2024 as a possibility. A few personnel evaluators thought that was a fair contract comp.”
With all of the money the Jets removed from the books by trading Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, they certainly could afford a deal like this. Over The Cap currently has the Jets projected to have over $18 million in cap space right now, over $99 million for the 2026 season, and over $209 million for the 2027 season. The Jets could afford to keep Hall if they really want to.
On top of this, the Jets could utilize another tool, like the franchise tag, to keep him around as well. The Jets could’ve traded him this past offseason or at the trade deadline, but stuck with him both times. At this point, the argument should be to get a new deal done before hitting the open market.
Las Vegas, Nevada – November 13, 2025 – Amid swirling controversy surrounding Geno Smith’s potential return to the field, a powerful and unexpected voice has risen to defend the embattled quarterback. Renowned musician Jon Batiste, a figure not typically associated with the Las Vegas Raiders, has become an unlikely champion for Smith at a time when the veteran signal-caller’s future with the Raiders hangs in the balance.
Smith, who has been sidelined with an injury, has faced mounting criticism regarding his readiness for the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs. As the debate intensifies, a significant portion of Raiders fans and analysts are skeptical about his return. Questions surrounding his full recovery have been raised, with many wondering if he is truly fit to lead the Raiders back into contention. The team’s backup quarterback, QB2, has also impressed during Smith’s absence, earning the trust of both the coaching staff and fans. With this in mind, some fear that Smith’s return is being driven more by the weight of expectation than actual physical preparedness.
Enter Jon Batiste, the larger-than-life musician who has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, even on issues outside of his usual domain. In a rare statement regarding Smith, Batiste expressed his support with a powerful message that instantly resonated across the sports world.
“What’s happening to Geno Smith is an injustice to football,” Batiste declared, his voice filled with passion and conviction. “People forget that this man has battled back from the brink of obscurity, proven himself time and time again, and now faces unjust scrutiny. You don’t judge a warrior just because he’s faced setbacks.”
Batiste’s words quickly reverberated through social media, sparking a wave of support for Smith from Raiders fans and analysts alike. The statement was shared thousands of times, with many fans thanking Batiste for his bold defense of their quarterback. It was a reminder of Smith’s resilience, his journey from backup to Pro Bowler, and his unwavering commitment to the Raiders’ Super Bowl aspirations.
The timing of Batiste’s remarks could not have been more crucial. With uncertainty hanging over Smith’s return, his injury, and the team’s playoff hopes, Batiste’s impassioned defense has altered the narrative. The conversation has shifted from skepticism to loyalty, with Raiders Nation rallying behind Smith, not just as a player, but as a symbol of perseverance and leadership.
As Batiste aptly put it, “This is not the time for blame — this is the time for loyalty.” His words have not only helped shift the perspective on Smith’s injury but have also galvanized a fan base that was once divided.
The upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs has now become much more than a simple football match. It is a test of Smith’s physical readiness, yes, but also a deeper test of faith. The Raiders will face their division rivals with more than just playoff implications on the line. They will be fighting for the belief in their leader, and as Batiste’s stirring words suggest, this battle is about far more than X’s and O’s—it’s about loyalty, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a quarterback who has proven time and time again that he is more than capable of rising to the occasion.
With Batiste’s unexpected support echoing through the halls of Raiders Nation, one thing is certain: this team stands united behind Geno Smith. The rest, as they say, will be history.