The Breece Hall Gamble: What the Seahawks Really Need to Know Before Making a Move

Sam Darnold and the Seahawks have a major problem in the backfield, and everyone in the NFL knows it. Kenneth Walker III bolted to Kansas City in free agency, leaving Seattle with a massive hole at running back. Now the rumor mill is spinning: could the answer be New York Jets star Breece Hall?

Don't get too excited just yet. Hall would come with a hefty price tag that could make the front office sweat.

The Jets Want Everything

The Jets franchise tagged Hall and locked him in at $14.293 million for the upcoming season, and they're not going to let him walk without compensation. According to analyst Michael Hanich, Hall's trade value is sky high. The Jets will likely demand either the Seahawks' first-round pick (No. 32) or a second-round pick plus a veteran player on an expiring contract.

Sure, Hall would be an upgrade. He's a 1,000-yard rusher who can line him up in space and create as a dual-threat option out of the backfield, even on a dysfunctional Jets team. But here's the real issue: the Seahawks didn't want to pay Kenneth Walker III the long-term money he was asking for. Are they really going to turn around and commit $14 to $15 million annually to Hall?

There's another problem lurking in the background too. Hall hasn't been fully healthy since his rookie season in 2022. For a team that just let their Super Bowl MVP walk away, betting big on an injury-prone back feels risky.

The Draft Option Is Looking Better

Here's the thing: the Seahawks don't have to mortgage the future to fix this problem. Rob Rang from the team's official website floated the idea of using that No. 32 pick on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. Think about it, Price is an instinctive runner with excellent vision, burst and balance, and he fits perfectly into the wide-zone offense Brian Fleury wants to run in Seattle.

The receiving game is where it gets really interesting. Last season under Fleury's system, Christian McCaffrey led all NFL running backs with 102 receptions, 924 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns. The Seahawks? They didn't get a single touchdown reception from their backs. A guy like Price could change that equation immediately.

The clock is ticking though. The Seahawks need to lock down a reliable starting running back before the draft ends, so whether it's Hall or a rookie, a move is coming soon. The question is whether Seattle wants to spend premium assets on a proven but injury-prone back, or build something new in the draft.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.