The Chicago Bears exited the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear need remaining at running back. While the franchise could turn back to the free agent market, many of the top options come with injury concerns. Instead, the Bears could see if any top running backs are still available on the trade market.
Chicago’s options will only expand when teams begin cutting down their rosters. Veterans will lose jobs to rookies, meaning the free agent market will once again be stocked with potential talent. However, if the Bears want to make a real splash, a trade gives the team a potent runner brimming with potential who may just need a change of scenery to pop.
One option in that scenario has been New York Jets running back Breece Hall. The Bears had been connected to a potential trade earlier in the offseason. However, with the draft now coming and going, and with the Jets not selecting a running back, it seems unlikely that a Hall to the Bears trade would actually come to fruition, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
“I don’t see how moving Hall after the draft makes sense for the New York Jets or makes them better,” Biggs wrote. “Had they chosen a running back high in the draft, maybe something could have materialized, but they didn’t. They chose right tackle Armand Membou at No. 7 and are looking to have a sturdy running game featuring Hall and quarterback Justin Fields.”
“Hall has been good for the Jets but has yet to have a 1,000-yard season in three years,” Biggs continued. “I’m skeptical they would make him available at this point, and with Hall entering the final year of his contract, the Jets would be selling him for pennies on the dollar if they did.”
Chicago Bears’ Breece Hall plans dashed
Chicago Bears urged to swing trade for Jets playmaker 2 Jets running back Breece Hall looks to make a play – Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A lot can change between now and Week 1. The Bears’ running back room is sure to carefully modeled throughout training camp. But as Biggs put it, if Chicago didn’t agree to a trade before the draft, it seems even more unlikely New York would part with Hall now.
Only 23-years-old, Hall still has plenty to offer the NFL. While he is a free agent after the season, trading for him would give the Bears an opportunity to see the running back in their system before handing out a long-term deal. Unfortunately for Chicago, the Jets are entering 2025 with the same plan in mind. As Aaron Glenn steps in as head coach, Hall will have a grand opportunity to prove why he should be their lead rusher.
Over his three years in the NFL, Hall has run for 2,333 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has added another 152 receptions for 1,292 and eight touchdowns through the air. It was easy to envision Hall’s dual-threat ability in Ben Johnson’s new-look offense.
But the running back has yet to break 1,000 yards rushing. While he matched his five rushing touchdowns from a year prior, his rushing yardage as a whole went down. Hall was still a menace in the pass game, grabbing 57 receptions for 483 yards and three touchdowns. Still, his work as a pure runner is in question entering the 2025 season.
Barring a sudden change of heart, the idea of Hall coming to Chicago is now a moot point. The Bears are prepared to enter their offseason program with D’Andre Swift as their lead running back. While there is still a solid chance Chicago adds to their running back room, it’s unlikely that comes in the form of a Hall trade.
