Sports Illustrated Selects 'X-Factor' for Jets

Second-year player's recovery key to Gang Green's 2023 success

The New York Jets' talent pool runs much deeper than their recently-added future Hall-of-Fame quarterback.

In order to make a serious run at the Super Bowl, Gang Green will need contributions from more than just Aaron Rodgers.

Addressing that topic, Sports Illustrated identified one "X-factor" for every NFL team — "one variable could make or break this year’s success."

When it comes to the 2023 Jets, that variable is a second-year running back who has yet to be cleared for team practices. Still working his way back from an ACL tear that prematurely ended a promising rookie campaign, Breece Hall is the Jets' "X-factor."

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From "The Biggest X-Factor for Each NFL Team in 2023":

New York Jets

RB Breece Hall

It wasn’t a coincidence that the Jets’ offense drastically declined after Hall tore his ACL seven games into his rookie season. The 2022 second-round pick was a front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year before the injury, but most importantly, he provided balance to help a sluggish passing game. Hall, who recorded 463 rushing yards and four touchdowns last season, might be the key to helping Rodgers get quickly acclimated with New York’s offense.

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RB Breece Hall pulls weight at Jets' OTAs / © Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com

Hall suffered the injury on October 23, 2022, but has progressed on schedule. Although he has been working out on the side since OTAs, the Jets placed their starting running back on the Active/PUP list on the first day of training camp.

"We’re going to do good by him and make sure that we slow play it, but he’s in really good shape," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh following the team's first preseason practice.

Using elite acceleration and breakaway speed, Hall showed a penchant for big plays during his shortened 2022 season. The Iowa State product accounted for at least one gain of 16+ yards in all seven appearances, including a 62-yard rush in the first half of the Week 7 tilt in Denver.

That speed will remain a key piece of Hall's arsenal moving forward.

"He looks really good. Someone gave me a little whisper that he hit 23 [mph] on his GPS," said Saleh.

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