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New York Jets running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis reacting after a big play during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks.

The New York Jets’ decision to pay Breece Hall could have some ripple effects.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini explained that when you give Hall a contract that makes him the third-highest-paid running back in the league, “the committee is history. You don’t pay a running back $14.5 million a year to be in a time-sharing situation; that wouldn’t be an effective use of cap space.”

With Hall expected to become the key straw that stirs the drink, Cimini believes trade calls could be coming for some of his teammates.

“With the significant commitment to Hall, who will make $29 million guaranteed in 2026 and 2027, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Jets start receiving trade inquiries on Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis,” Cimini wrote.

Hall Changed the Coach’s Mind

Before the former Iowa State product received a life-changing contract extension, there were plenty of rumors that he wasn’t long for New York.

Head coach Aaron Glenn is responsible for some of the uncertainty surrounding Hall’s future.

At the Annual League Meetings last year, Glenn explained that Hall “would be part of a three-man committee” in the backfield. Cimini said, “that fueled several months of trade speculation.”

However, during the 2025 season, Hall “won over” head coach Aaron Glenn. Instead of potentially trading him at the deadline, the Jets opted to keep him around.

It Doesn’t Make Sense to Strike a Trade Now

Just because you may receive trade calls, that doesn’t mean you should act on those inquiries.

Is Hall going to get more of the work than in any year before? He absolutely should. The Jets didn’t pay Hall to look pretty. However, the NFL is a different game in 2026 than it was in 1992.

The NFL is a violent sport; you need multiple bodies in the backfield that you can trust. Not only across a season, but in each indivudal game a team typically utilizes mutliple running backs.

Allen, 22, has two years left on his $4.5 million rookie contract. Davis, 24, has two years left on his $4.2 million rookie deal.

The former Wisconsin product has collected 575 yards from scrimmage and has scored four touchdowns in his career. The former South Dakota State product has collected 671 yards from scrimmage and has scored three touchdowns.

Both players have certainly had moments through their first two years in the league. Allen entered the league as a fourth-round pick, and Davis was a fifth-rounder.

Let’s say a team called with trade interest. What would they possibly give up? A late round pick? The juice isn’t worth the squeeze.

Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich stated clearly that they plan to run the ball in 2026. You have some solid depth in the backfield. Why would you screw it all up for inconsequential draft capital?

It would be one thing if those trade calls came before the 2026 NFL draft. If the Jets decided to trade away either Allen or Davis, they could have then immediately replaced them with cheap labor, with a rookie. That option is no longer on the table.

The Jets have depth, that is a good thing, don’t get rid of it.