Breece Hall is already seen as one of the top running backs in the NFL. His ability to both run and catch has made him a favorite pick in fantasy football drafts.
This is impressive considering he has only played 24 professional games and missed the latter part of his rookie season with the New York Jets in 2022 due to a torn knee ligament.
“The hype and all that stuff’s there, but for me it’s just having the standard for myself to, you know, every time I step out on the field, I want to be the best player out there,” Hall said Tuesday. “I want every team to know who No. 20 is.”
Hall likely doesn’t need to worry too much about being recognized at this point. While Aaron Rodgers runs the Jets’ offense, Hall is a key player who drives it forward.
At 23 years old, Hall recovered from a torn ACL in Week 7 of his rookie season to lead NFL running backs with 76 catches last season.
That’s nine more than Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, whom Hall will face on Monday night when New York begins its season against the 49ers.
Hall was just 12 catches short of Richie Anderson’s franchise record for running backs and fell 6 yards short of 1,000 rushing yards last season. He has promised to achieve that milestone this year.
This comeback is impressive for a running back who faced many doubts after his injury.
“Yeah, I look back at it now and just feel like there’s nothing I can’t do,” said Hall, who is now fully healthy. “I had a lot of long days, a lot of long nights. A lot of wondering if I was going to be the same again. And so it’s little stuff like that and, God-willing, I was able to work hard enough and it just took some time.
“I feel like I’m better than ever right now. And really, to me, I haven’t really done anything in this league yet.”
Anyone who watches him play—whether a teammate or an opponent—would disagree.
“For me,” Hall said, “like every week I’ve got to go out there with something to prove with a chip on my shoulder.”
