FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — It always seemed Breece Hall was destined for greatness with the New York Jets.
The former second-round pick out of Iowa State was fourth in the league last season in yards from scrimmage and cemented himself as one of the more complete running backs in the NFL today.
Much of Hall’s game can be compared to the likes of All-Pro runner Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Hall, that isn’t the only thing that connects his play with the 49ers superstar.
Breece Hall Calls Christian McCaffrey NFL’s Top RB
The running back position has been a volatile one in recent seasons across the NFL. Top runners failed to get the paydays they were looking for in recent years, and it ended up frustrating the group enough to have multiple Zoom conferences regarding the concern.
That changed during the 2024 offseason.
Major contracts were given out to the likes of DeAndre Swift, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Jacobs. But the biggest deal went to McCaffrey.
The all-purpose back for San Fran signed a two-year extension worth over $38 million. The $19 million per year average was easily the most of any player at the position.
According to Hall, that wasn’t by accident.
"It's exciting just to see where I stand and really let everybody see my full talent now that I'm healthy."
Breece Hall talks about starting the season against the 49ers and Christian McCaffrey, who he says "sets the standard" for running backs: pic.twitter.com/eqd6gZ12MG
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 11, 2024
“I feel McCaffrey is the best in the league. He sets the standard, so it was cool to see him raise the market,” Hall stated Tuesday afternoon. “He’s still a top-10 player in this league. With my talent and the team we have, I have the potential to turn towards that way.”
Hall’s career has always been tied to McCaffrey in a way. As a young running back out of Wichita, Kansas, Hall tried to emulate his style to the former Panther and now 49er.
MORE: 2024 NFL RB Rankings: Where Does Breece Hall Rank?
“I used to watch his highlights. If you look at my YouTube history, it’ll show I watched the first 10 videos of his highlights and everything,” Hall laughed.
Hall finished second behind McCaffrey in yards from scrimmage at the running back position. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl this past season and remains a player that Hall looks up to as a member of the Jets.
Jets’ Week 1 Connection to 49ers
Whether it’s Aaron Rodgers coming back to Santa Clara for a matchup against one of his oldest rivals, or Robert Saleh and his coaching staff returning to the place that got him his job with New York, Week 1’s Monday Night Football clash between the Jets and 49ers will not be short of storylines.
One of the more underrated connections, though, happens to be with Hall and the legends of San Francisco’s past and present. And it’s not just with McCaffrey’s running style.
As a former college teammate of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, Hall knows full well the kind of leader San Fran has running the show. After all, both enjoyed some of the more successful seasons in Cyclones history.
Much like McCaffrey, Hall has NFL pedigree in his blood as a cousin of 49ers legend Roger Craig. Hall understands both his role on the field and how special the Week 1 matchup is billed to be.
“It’s very cool. I know he’s going to be talking stuff to me before the game, even though he’ll be rooting for me,” Hall explained. “Playing the 49ers, Brock was my roommate in college … It’s going to be a great challenge to see where I stand.”
The Jets and 49ers may not have a historical rivalry, but plenty of members of Gang Green have personal connections to San Francisco.
For Hall, Week 1’s opponent will allow him to show that he’s no longer just a fan of a player like McCaffrey, but the next man up in the race to be the best running back in football.