FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY – MAY 31: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets runs alone during the team’s OTA’s at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on May 31, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The new-look New York Jets will be led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The veteran signal-caller will be getting a big assist from a player on the comeback trail.
His 62-yard touchdown jaunt in the first quarter at Denver propelled the New York Jets to a 16-9 win over the Broncos. However, then-rookie running back Breece Hall would suffer a torn ACL in the second quarter and be lost for the remainder of the season. With him, Robert Saleh’s club won five of their first seven contests.
The Jets’ offense totaled 16 touchdowns during the club’s 5-2 start. In its final 10 outings, this unit reached the end zone only 12 times and scored zero TDs in their final three games. Yes, the team got a big year from fellow rookie Garrett Wilson. He totaled 83 catches for 1,103 yards and four TDs on the way to being named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, the absence of the talented runner added up to a lack of balance, which could have made life easier for the team’s various starting quarterbacks.
So, what about Hall and his prospects for 2023?
How much of an impact did the 2022 second-round pick from Iowa State have on New York’s offense? He played in the team’s first seven games and made two starts. He totaled 80 carries for 463 yards and four touchdowns. He also totaled 19 catches for 218 yards and one score. Despite missing the final 10 games of 2022, he led the club in rushing yards and total touchdowns (5).
Now it’s 2023. The addition of veteran quarterback and four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and company (Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard) combined with the return of a healthy Hall figures as very good news for Saleh’s club and new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Only three teams in the NFL scored fewer points a year ago than the Jets. That should change this season, especially if Hall is ready to kick off his second season when the team hosts the defending AFC East champion Buffalo Bills on the first Monday night game of 2023.
