On Monday, the Detroit Lions sent running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. In return, Aaron Glenn’s former team received a 2026 fourth-round pick, interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, and a 2027 seventh-rounder, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Naturally, running backs changing teams is important around these parts, since the New York Jets and Breece Hall are currently in the midst of a developing situation.

Hall, 24, is technically set to become a free agent this offseason, as the 2025 campaign served as the last of his four-year rookie contract. Of course, “technically” is the all-important keyword here.

Per multiple reports, coupled with comments from general manager Darren Mougey, the Jets are intent on keeping Hall around — at least through the end of the 2026 season. Moreover, negotiating an extension is still on the table.

“Ideally, we’d like to find a way to get a deal done and keep Breece around,” Mougey said while at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. “I’ve said that for the last year since I got here. Breece is a good player, and we want to find a way to keep him around.”

Breece details and deadlines

For that to occur, they’ll either need to sign him to a contract extension before the new league year begins (March 11, at 3:59:59 p.m. ET) or utilize a one-year tag. In this particular situation, the franchise tag or transition tag is most likely the course of action.

New York opting to franchise tag Hall would guarantee the team at least another year of service from their second-round back circa the 2022 NFL draft. That one-year bill would cost the Jets a hefty $14.293 million against the cap this coming season (top-five cap hit at the position).

The transition tag is top 10 instead, which would decrease the number to $11.323 million. This is the route to take when the team isn’t overly concerned about losing the player, since the tagged player can sign an offer sheet from one of the other 31 franchises.

If an offer sheet is signed, the Jets can match. Nevertheless, it’s a gamble, considering the price can be driven up by the market. March 3, at 4:00 p.m. ET, is the deadline for either tag.

It’s a decent haul

David Montgomery is 28 years old. At the running back position, that isn’t exactly young. Perhaps “ancient” isn’t the most appropriate descriptor, but hey, let’s not pretend 28 at running back is nearly the same as 28 at quarterback (or most other positions, for that matter).

In fact, the man’s birthday is on June 7, so the now-Texans power back will be 29 once the 2026 NFL season commences. And yet, Detroit still pulled a pretty solid return in the deal.

A late fourth-round pick makes sense as compensation. First and foremost, teams willing to trade a running back must always enter into negotiations with the correct mindset.

Rarely (if ever) will the proper-return-for-talent will occur. Positional value just won’t allow it.

Still, a fourth-round pick by itself isn’t a bad haul for an aging back. The fact that they also received a seventh-rounder and a 26-year-old offensive lineman, who was a second-round choice in 2023 and has started 20 of a possible 37 games played over three seasons, is more than most would have expected.

Good news for the Jets

At the end of the day, the Montgomery trade is good news for the Jets.

Granted, Hall’s much heftier salary will trump what Montgomery has left on his contract — $5.49 million and $7.49 million annual cap hits, respectively — but doesn’t it make sense that Hall’s non-contractual value blows away anything the now-former Lions back brings to the table?

Breece Hall is much younger and has fewer miles on his legs. His still-young age of 24 is appealing to NFL decision-makers.

Although time will tell, if the rumors are true — that New York rejected the Kansas City Chiefs’ offer of a fourth-rounder for Hall, at last season’s trade deadline — then Darren Mougey and company could be feeling better about a potential trade this offseason.

Even if their goal is to sign him to a shorter extension, franchise tagging him is more than acceptable. Should the market speak volumes, a Breece Hall trade could still easily be on the table.

If nobody comes calling, hey, the man will be the Jets RB1 in 2026.

If nothing else, the David Montgomery trade should help the New York Jets feel better about the Breece Hall market this offseason — which may or may not tempt them to offer their running back a more acceptable contract extension.