Superstar NFL Running Back Is Officially Off The Market – Chiefs & Other Teams Forced To Move On

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been forced to move on from one of their targets in the upcoming 2026 NFL free agency. After a disappointing 2025 season, the Chiefs started working to improve their roster.

They had found a proper running back, but things didn’t go in their favor. The New York Jets officially franchise tagged Breece Hall on Tuesday, hours after the deadline. Hall will get $14.293 million under the tag, which was designed as a placeholder until the player and the team can come to an agreement.

Had they used the transition tag, Hall would have been allowed to talk with other teams in free agency.

If they can’t reach a long-term agreement, Hall would likely enter free agency in 2027, if not before. The move killed the Chiefs and others’ chances to put their hands on one of the best players in the running back market this offseason.

Chiefs Nearly Traded For Breece Hall Ahead of The Deadline

At the end of February, ESPN’s Nate Taylor reported that the Chiefs almost traded for Breece Hall. However, negotiations fell apart due to the Chiefs’ belief that they could land Hall in free agency.

“Ahead of the league’s trade deadline in November, the Chiefs were close to acquiring Hall,” Taylor wrote. “But the deal between the Chiefs and Jets was never made. The Jets wanted a 2026 third-round pick. A source with knowledge of the negotiations said the Chiefs declined in part because they felt they could attract Hall to Kansas City if he was available in free agency.”

The Jets didn’t let that happen and now Kansas City will have to look for options. Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks), Travis Etienne Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Tyler Allgeier (Atlanta Falcons) are reportedly on their radar.