Running back Breece Hall is setting his sights high for the New York Jets’ 2026 season, believing the team is poised to defy expectations and make a significant impact.
“We all share the same objective and have an insatiable hunger for success,” Hall declared following the Jets’ initial minicamp session on Tuesday. “Our aim is to catch everyone by surprise this year.”
Despite Hall’s optimism, ESPN’s Football Power Index, an analytics-based ranking system, has placed the Jets at a lowly 31st position in the NFL. Few outside the Jets’ fan base anticipate a standout season for the team in Aaron Glenn’s second year at the helm.
Still, Hall, who committed to the Jets with a three-year contract extension this spring, remains encouraged by what he has observed from his teammates thus far.
“With players like me, Garrett Wilson, and Geno Smith, we hold ourselves to the expectation of being among the elite in our positions,” Hall explained. “We’re instilling this mindset in the entire team—striving to be among the best. We want to excel, whether it’s our first season with the new quarterback or any other adjustment we face.”
Hall pointed out that the defense has been playing hard even in walk-throughs.
“This is definitely different from what we’ve had in the past,” Hall said.
The highlight of Tuesday’s practice was a red-zone touchdown pass from Smith to Adonai Mitchell in the back of the end zone. Smith placed the ball where only Mitchell could grab it and Mitchell did a toe tap to stay in bounds.
Smith and Mitchell have made a lot of highlight plays this spring and seem to have good chemistry.
“I’m really excited about AD,” Smith said. “I think he’s going to be a special player for a long time. He’s obviously got the talent. What people might not see is the way that he works, the way that he studies, just the type of teammate that he is. He’s a great teammate. I think that goes a long way.”
Former Jets coach Rex Ryan was at practice Tuesday. Ryan’s son, Seth, is the team’s passing game coordinator. … The Jets signed fourth-round pick DT Darrell Jackson and they now have all of their draft picks under contract.
Rookie QB Cade Klubnik (back) did not practice but was throwing on the side. Glenn said it was the team being cautious and he thinks Klubnik will practice later this week.
The team’s three-day minicamp concludes Thursday.