As NFL training camps progress and the preseason kicks off with Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game, the clock is ticking for players seeking contract extensions before Week 1. New York Jets running back Breece Hall is among those whose future earnings depend heavily on his performance in the upcoming season, a pivotal year for his career.
Unlike teammates Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, Hall does not expect to secure an extension this offseason under the Jets’ new management, led by head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. His ability to impress in the 2025 campaign will likely determine whether he can negotiate a lucrative contract or must wait until free agency in 2026.
Evaluating Breece Hall’s Position With the Jets
Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, though not drafted by the current Jets regime either, have solidified themselves as elite players at premium positions. Wilson has delivered three 1,000-yard receiving seasons for New York, and Gardner earned two first-team All-Pro selections, carving clear value propositions for contract extensions.
Breece Hall’s situation is less straightforward. Despite accumulating over 1,300 scrimmage yards in each of his first two seasons, Hall has yet to consistently demonstrate the explosive impact expected from an elite running back. Operating in a role that traditionally commands less financial investment compared to quarterback or wide receiver spots, he faces a steeper path to a big payday. At 24 years old, Hall acknowledges the urgency to convert his potential into tangible results.
“I’ve got a chip on my shoulder,”
Hall said to reporters.
“I feel like right now, OK, it’s my last chance. For me, it’s always been, ‘he’s got potential, he’s got potential,’ but now I want to be the product.”
—Breece Hall, New York Jets running back
Hall’s 2025 performance metrics will be closely scrutinized after his 2022 ACL injury hampered his explosiveness. His yards-per-carry average dropped from 5.8 in his rookie year to 4.5 and 4.2 in the two subsequent seasons. To cement his standing among the NFL’s top young backs and secure a contract comparable to Josh Jacobs’ four-year, $48 million deal, Hall must prove he can sustain a high workload while improving efficiency.
Failure to show growth could confine Hall to one-year, prove-it contracts resembling the deals Najee Harris ($5.3 million) and Javonte Williams ($3 million) recently signed. Thus, the 2025 season represents a defining crossroads for Hall’s career earnings and future with the Jets.
Other Key 2026 Free Agents Who Must Deliver in 2025
Breece Hall is one of several notable NFL players becoming free agents in 2026 whose contract futures hinge on their upcoming campaign performances. Among these are wide receiver Christian Kirk, quarterback Daniel Jones, offensive tackle Kolton Miller, wide receiver George Pickens, and edge rusher Haason Reddick.
Christian Kirk’s Quest to Regain Elite Slot Receiver Status
The Houston Texans’ Christian Kirk faces a challenging market saturated with top-tier receivers like Mike Evans, Courtland Sutton, Jauan Jennings, and Jakobi Meyers. Kirk’s last sizeable contract was a four-year, $72 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, which followed a career-best 1,108-yard season.
However, his recent years have been marred by injuries, including a core muscle issue in 2023 and a broken collarbone limiting him to eight games last season. The instability surrounding Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence‘s own injuries likely impacted Kirk’s production as well. A recent trade sent Kirk to Houston for just a 2026 seventh-round pick, reflecting declining perceived value.
With the Texans, Kirk hopes to reclaim his role as a premier slot receiver, competing for playing time amid a retooled offensive line and rising young talent. Should he secure the slot role, remain healthy, and become a trusted target for quarterback C.J. Stroud, Kirk could improve his stock entering free agency at age 29.
Strong performances from slot receivers often translate to lucrative contracts, as seen with Cooper Kupp’s recent three-year, $45 million deal. However, a down year could leave Kirk seeking one-year deals in the $1.5–2 million range, similar to contracts earned by Braxton Berrios, Sterling Shepard, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson this offseason.
Daniel Jones Aims for Redemption in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has one of the most precarious free agency outlooks entering 2026. Once a first-round pick for the New York Giants in 2019, Jones showed promise in one standout season, earning a four-year, $160 million extension before being released less than two years into the deal.
After a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, Jones joined the Colts this offseason with a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job. Success in this role could result in a significant contract next spring.
“I think there’s a real shot Jones could be angling for $40 million annually at this time next year,”
noted Fox Sports analyst Henry McKenna. —Henry McKenna, Fox Sports
The bigger challenge for Jones is overcoming competition from 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson, who is recovering from a shoulder injury but offers long-term upside and is affordable under rookie contract terms. The Colts may prefer to commit to the younger figure unless Jones decisively wins the starting role early in the season and delivers solid results.
Jones’s situation mirrors past quarterback redemption stories like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. Should Jones excel, he could secure a substantial deal; otherwise, he risks falling back to backup-level contracts, such as the two-year, $8 million deal Jameis Winston signed this offseason.
Kolton Miller Positioned to Lead 2026 Free-Agent Left Tackles
Outstanding offensive tackles free agent in 2026 appear limited, especially if Los Angeles Chargers’ Rashawn Slater signs an expected extension. That development would place Las Vegas Raiders’ Kolton Miller as the most prominent left tackle potentially entering free agency.
Miller, 29, has quietly demonstrated dependable play, earning a 14th-place ranking among 140 offensive tackles in the 2024 Pro Football Focus grades. With offensive tackle contracts increasingly lucrative—the recent Dan Moore Jr. deal reached four years at $82 million—Miller’s current $18 million per year contract offers room for substantial growth.
To maximize his value, Miller must sustain high-level play, maintain health, and leverage the Raiders’ offseason changes, which include new head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith. These upgrades might boost Las Vegas’s relevance and Miller’s national profile.
If the Raiders falter or Miller’s performance declines, he could face more modest earnings similar to the one-year, $12 million deal Cam Robinson secured despite recording 101 starts. Miller’s 2025 campaign will be crucial in setting his market trajectory.
George Pickens Looks to Revive Career With the Dallas Cowboys
George Pickens, the Dallas Cowboys’ recent acquisition, has long exhibited extraordinary talent and potential as a wide receiver but has struggled with consistency and maturity. In 2023, Pickens recorded more than 1,100 receiving yards and led the NFL with an 18.1 yards-per-catch average, yet persistent issues undermined his standing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, prompting his trade.
“They have learned the hard way with receivers like Antonio Brown that money doesn’t fix these problems—it only makes them worse,”
wrote Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. —Mike DeFabo, The Athletic
Joining Dallas provides Pickens a fresh chance as the No. 2 receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb. Early signs indicate developing chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott.
“Pickens’ connection with Dak Prescott is already impressive,”
reported Patrik Walker on the Cowboys’ official platform. —Patrik Walker, Dallas Cowboys official website
Beyond statistical output, Pickens must display consistency, avoid frustration during limited targets, and refrain from distractions such as on-field altercations. If successful, he could negotiate a top-tier No. 2 receiver contract comparable to Tee Higgins’ $28.8 million per year deal. Failure to mature may limit him to modest prove-it deals like the $1.2 million pact Diontae Johnson signed recently.
Haason Reddick Seeks to Rebound After Down Year
Haason Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowler and edge rusher for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, faces a pivotal 2025 season to restore his market value following a disappointing 2024.
After being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New York Jets last year without a new contract, Reddick held out and ultimately played only ten games, recording a single sack. Prior to last season, Reddick had posted four consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks.
His current one-year, $14 million deal with Tampa Bay pales compared to what he could have earned coming off a strong season. By contrast, pass rusher Chase Young secured a three-year, $51 million contract this offseason.
“I know everybody’s worried about last year, but last year was last year. I’m here now, different mindset, different space,”
Reddick said in March. —Haason Reddick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher
Despite turning 31 in September, Reddick can still earn a notable long-term contract if he returns to double-digit sack production, positioning himself alongside players like T.J. Watt, who recently signed a three-year, $123 million deal. However, should his performance falter or he fail to play a full season, he could find himself limited to one-year deals in the $5–6 million range, similar to contracts signed by Calais Campbell, Dante Fowler Jr., and Von Miller this offseason.
2025 Will Determine Several NFL Players’ Careers and Earnings
The 2025 NFL season looms as a critical proving ground for several players entering free agency in 2026. For Breece Hall and others like Christian Kirk, Daniel Jones, Kolton Miller, George Pickens, and Haason Reddick, on-field performance and consistency will directly influence their financial future and career trajectories.
Teams and fans alike will watch how these individuals respond to expectations, injuries, competition, and evolving roles. Success in the upcoming season could secure significant contracts and long-term security, while underperformance might force shorter, less lucrative deals.