The Arizona Cardinals need a boost for the running game this offseason, and the team just missed out one of the best options out there.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall received the franchise tag on Tuesday instead of hitting free agency, and the tag will cost $14.3 million. Hall reacted on social media afterward.
“Always been the type to bet on myself. Been working…see yall soon,” he wrote on X.
Of course, Cardinals fans will only see him on TV in a Jets uniform. It looked promising at one point that the Cardinals could land Hall with the addition of head coach Mike LaFleur this offseason.
Hall rushed for 1,065 yards and four touchdowns on 243 carries, and he caught 36 passes for 350 yards and a touchdown last season. He would have given the Cardinals a dynamic playmaker and taken pressure off of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
“Hall’s explosive-run percentage dropped last season, as did his average speed (based on GPS tracking), yet he still managed to rush for a career-high 1,065 yards. Since 2022, he ranks 10th among running backs in scrimmage yards (5,040),” ESPN Jets reporter RIch Cimini wrote on Feb. 18.
“Key number: He’ll be only 25, one of the reasons why he would be one of the most coveted free agents. The Arizona Cardinals, coached by former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, could be a potential suitor.”
Now, that’s not happening, and the Cardinals will need to go back to the drawing board.
Running Back Options For Cardinals
For LaFleur, improving the running back position is a priority, but he also knows what to look for and isn’t going to just jump at the first opportunity.
“I do think through experience, I take it as they come in all shapes and sizes,” LaFleur said via the team website in February. “You try to pigeon-hole yourself, I need this one-foot-slash guy, certain size, certain speed, it’s that one particular position … they come in all shapes and sizes for the running back position, I’ve really kind of taken to that over the years.”
The Cardinals pick at No. 3 in the draft amid many position needs, and Notre Dame running back Jermiyah Love is a legitimate option as he’s ascending draft boards of late. That said, the Cardinals could go for a veteran such as Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. amid his uncertainty.
Other names to watch for included Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. The Cardinals could also pick a running back later than No. 3 and consider Love’s teammate, Jadarian Price, or Washington running back Jonah Coleman or Penn State running back Kaytron Allen.
Not a Total Loss For Cardinals
While Hall was considered the prime free agent running back, the Cardinals signing him would have had downsides, too.
According to Spotrac, Hall would have commanded $10.4 million per year, and that would have hindered the Cardinals’ salary situation. The Cardinals had solid production from running back Trey Benson already, and running back James Conner hasn’t been cut yet, though that is on the radar.
Arizona has other pressing needs besides running back, too. Offensive line play in particular needs to improve, and that could make a difference for Benson alone and whoever the Cardinals find for another running back.
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