Training camp for Jets rookies begins Tuesday, except for Breece Hall, who, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, will not be reporting to the team’s facility. The first running back to have his name called in this year’s draft, Hall attended OTAs this spring, but is still working with the Jets to resolve a contract dispute that has dragged on for months.
If you recall, the Jets encountered a similar issue last summer with quarterback Zach Wilson not present for the start of camp. The length and value of Hall’s contract is set by a predetermined formula (four years, $9.93 million), though players and their representation can still haggle over guarantees. Texans safety Jalen Pitre, who came off the board one pick after Hall at 37th overall, received his third year fully guaranteed, setting a new precedent for players drafted in the second round. With that in mind, it should come as no coincidence that 11 second-rounders, including the three players chosen ahead of Hall (Buccaneers edge rusher Logan Hall, Packers receiver Christian Watson and Titans DB Roger McCreary), remain unsigned as of Tuesday morning.
Hall’s holdout, one would think, should be resolved in relatively short order, perhaps by the time veterans arrive in Florham Park later this week. Still, Hall’s absence, even if it’s only for a day or two, puts him at a distinct disadvantage, costing him valuable reps while affording more opportunities to Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson, among other looming threats to Hall’s Year 1 workload.
A two-time All-American and the Big 12’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Hall finished his Iowa State tenure as the program’s all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns, scoring 50 times in his three seasons there. Hall’s selection was the earliest the Jets have drafted a running back since Blair Thomas (second overall) in 1990.
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