INDIANAPOLIS — The New York Jets are drawing a line in the sand at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. General Manager Darren Mougey confirmed Tuesday that the team will use the franchise or transition tag on star running back Breece Hall if a long-term deal isn’t reached by the March 3 deadline. The move effectively keeps Hall off the open market as New York looks to stabilize an offense that leaned heavily on his career-high 1,065 rushing yards last season.
While Hall’s immediate future in Green and White seems certain, the same cannot be said for the league’s other premier ball-carriers. Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III and Detroit’s David Montgomery find themselves at a crossroads as the league year approaches, highlighting the brutal volatility of the modern running back market.
The $14.5 Million Security Blanket
For the Jets, the decision on Hall is purely about leverage. Under the franchise tag, Hall would be guaranteed $14.5 million in 2026—a significant jump from his rookie scale but a price Mougey is clearly willing to pay. Hall has been the lone bright spot in a fluctuating New York backfield, racking up 2,935 rushing yards over the last three seasons, ranking him 12th in the NFL over that span.
If the Jets opt for the transition tag instead, the cost drops to $11.7 million. However, that route allows other teams to sign Hall to an offer sheet without the Jets receiving the two first-round picks as compensation that come with the franchise tag. “Breece is a good player, we want to find a way to keep him around,” Mougey said, noting that negotiations are still “fluid.”
The Super Bowl MVP Gamble
In Seattle, the vibes are celebratory but the business is cold. Kenneth Walker III is fresh off a legendary postseason run, capped by a 135-yard masterpiece in the Seahawks’ 29-13 Super Bowl victory over New England. Despite the hardware, Seahawks GM John Schneider was hesitant to commit to the tag for Walker on Tuesday.
Walker stepped up when Zach Charbonnet went down with a season-ending knee injury, averaging 104.3 yards per game in the playoffs. At 25 years old, he is arguably the most valuable asset in the upcoming free-agent class, yet Schneider remains focused on the “collective” 70-man roster. If Seattle lets him walk, Walker will likely become the highest-paid back in the league, trailing only Saquon Barkley’s $16.75 million cash payout for 2026.
“We’d love to have Ken back… but he knows this better than anybody, it’s about our collective and what it’s going to look like. When you get something special like that, let’s run it back.”
— John Schneider, Seahawks General Manager
Motor City Shakeup
Meanwhile, in Detroit, David Montgomery could be the odd man out. Despite being under contract through 2027, Montgomery saw his role diminish in 2025 as Jahmyr Gibbs exploded for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns. Montgomery, who turns 29 in June, finished last year with career lows across the board: 158 carries for 716 yards.
Lions GM Brad Holmes admitted to being in contact with Montgomery’s representation, but with Gibbs eligible for a massive extension, Detroit may look to move Montgomery’s $6 million salary via trade to clear cap space. It’s a classic NFL “what have you done for me lately” scenario for a veteran who provided 25 touchdowns over his first two seasons in Detroit.
What’s Next
The NFL’s “legal tampering” window opens in mid-March, but the real fireworks start on March 3. That is the hard deadline for teams to officially designate franchise players. Expect the Jets to move first on Hall, potentially setting the floor for whatever contract Walker III eventually demands. If Walker hits the open market without a tag, expect a bidding war between RB-needy contenders like the Cowboys or Ravens.
