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Breece Hall sure is acting and talking like someone who wants to be traded.
The Jets running back has been floated in trade rumors ahead of the No. 4 deadline. With New York sitting at 0-6 and Hall a pending free agent, trading the fourth-year pro would make sense.
Hall fueled the rumor fire on Monday with a particularly vague Instagram post. The post arrived a day after the Jets suffered a 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos, with Hall rushing 22 times for 59 yards.
“They want me to lay down but I got sum to stand for … #Free 20,” Hall wrote in the caption, referring to his jersey number.
The 24-year-old was equally vague on Wednesday when asked whether he would explain the meaning behind the post.
“Maybe one of these days,” Hall told reporters before leaving the locker room, via Brian Costello of the New York Post.
Hall reportedly returned to the locker room to give an attempted explanation.
“I haven’t posted yet this season,” Hall said, via Costello. “It’s just a way for me to say I’m ready for whatever comes my way, whether it’s going against an opponent, whether it’s in my life. For me, it’s a football thing. All right, I’m ready for whatever opponent is coming my way, whatever the case may be. It’s a for-the-game type of thing.”
Does “Free20” mean Hall wants a trade?
“Nah. It’s referencing like being in the moment, being in the game,” Hall said. “I’m ready for whatever.”
Whether Hall was being truthful is something only he knows. For what it’s worth, last month, former New England Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk posted “Free1” on Instagram and was traded to the New Orleans Saints five days later.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn did his best to quiet the noise Wednesday, writing the rumors off as just that while saying New York didn’t want to trade Hall. Obviously, he wouldn’t admit otherwise publicly.
Should the Jets eventually decide to trade Hall, many believe the running back-needy Patriots could be suitors. In fact, a top Patriots insider went so far as to float a potential Jets trade price.
The Jets will host the Carolina Panthers this Sunday, while the Patriots will visit the Tennessee Titans. New England will host New York on Nov. 13, just nine days after the trade deadline.
