FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Breece Hall sent New York Jets fans, the media and internet detectives scrambling earlier this week after he sent a cryptic social media post with a curious hashtag.
The star running back has been the subject of trade speculation since the offseason, especially since he’s in the last year of his rookie contract and the team is 0-6 under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
“They’re rumors,” Glenn said Wednesday after saying repeatedly over the past several months the Jets aren't looking to deal Hall. “Still feel the same way.”
But Hall added to the increasing chatter with a post on Instagram on Monday, a day after the Jets lost 13-11 to the Denver Broncos in London.
“They want me to lay down but I got sum to stand for...," Hall wrote in the post that included several photos of him in his Jets No. 20 uniform and in street clothes.
He ended it by adding: #Free20.
That must mean he wants out, right?
“Nah," he told reporters with a laugh in the locker room after practice Wednesday. "It’s referencing, like, being in the moment, being in the game. I’m ready for whatever.”
The 24-year-old Hall, a second-round pick in the 2022 draft, didn't receive a contract extension this past offseason as first-rounders Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson did. That added to the uncertainty about Hall's future with the franchise, along with Glenn saying during the offseason that he expected the offense to use a three-running back approach with Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis sharing carries.
Instead, Hall has continued to be the Jets' No. 1 running back, as he was during his first three seasons. Allen is on injured reserve with a knee injury and Davis is the clear No. 2 behind Hall.
“I haven’t posted anything this season, so (it’s) just a way for me to say I’m ready for whatever comes my way at the end of the day,” Hall said of his Instagram post. “Whether it’s going against an opponent, whether it’s in my life, it’s just for me. It’s a football thing.
"So, all right, I’m ready for whatever opponent’s coming my way, whatever the case may be. It’s a for-the-game type of thing.”
Hall is 11th in the NFL in rushing with 410 yards through six games, but has no touchdown runs. He’s averaging 68.3 yards rushing per game, which is a career high.
“It's not good enough for what the situation is that we're in right now,” Hall said. “I could rush for 20 yards and if we win, I'll be happy. I want to win.”
He also has 17 catches for 150 yards and no scores. Against Denver, Hall saw no passing targets for the first time in his career in a full game as Justin Fields and the struggling offense put up a franchise-worst minus-10 net yards passing.
All of that, coupled with Hall's Instagram post, seemed to point to the running back indicating ahead of the NFL's trade deadline on Nov. 4 that he wants to play somewhere else.
“I mean, the only people making the rumors are y'all,” Hall said with a laugh. “I didn't start those rumors.”
Hall was then asked how he processes the speculation and is able to play and perform in spite of them.
"So you think that when I’m playing, I’m thinking about getting traded?” he asked. “You think I wake up thinking about getting traded? I have a very simple routine: I wake up, I take a shower, I brush my teeth, wash my face, put my clothes on, come to the facility and go about my workday. And I go home, I watch some film, I play some video games and go to bed.
"So that’s my week right there.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
New York Jets' Breece Hall tries to get past Dallas Cowboys' Marist Liufau during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20 speaks during a press conference at an NFL football practice at The Grove in Watford, England, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20), works out during NFL football practice at The Grove in Watford, England, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — This wasn't a typical Broncos game. For the first time this season, they didn't trail, and the final minutes were not overly stressful.
What was typical? They won again.
Bo Nix passed for 212 yards and rushed for a touchdown, and Denver extended its winning streak to 10 games, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 24-17 on Sunday, a score that wasn't reflective of the Broncos' dominance.
“It did not feel like some of these other (games) recently,” coach Sean Payton said. “My headset was off earlier.”
The Raiders lost quarterback Geno Smith, who injured his right hand and shoulder in the third quarter and was replaced by Kenny Pickett. Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll said Smith's hand was cut and his shoulder “really locked up” but there didn't appear to be significant damage.
The Broncos (11-2) appear to be on the verge of ending Kansas City's nine-year reign in the AFC West, and they tied idle New England for the top seed in the conference. Denver owns the tiebreaker because of its 6-0 record against common opponents; the Patriots lost to the Raiders.
The Broncos ended their NFL record of rallying for nine consecutive victories — this time, they only had to pull away from an early 7-7 tie. Denver has its best record through 13 games since 2013.
The Broncos have their skeptics, however, given how many victories they've had to eke out, and beating up on the free-falling Raiders likely won't silence the doubters.
“Ten in a row's a long streak,” Nix said. “You want to be appreciative of this opportunity and appreciative of the wins no matter how they come. But at the same time, we're always looking to get better.”
The Raiders (2-11) have lost seven in a row and 11 of 12. Las Vegas also has lost 11 consecutive divisional games, the league's longest active skid.
Statistics pointed to a potential mismatch with the Broncos bringing in a top-five defense against a Raiders offense that's at or near the bottom of several statistical categories. Denver held the ball for 39:03 and gained 356 yards with 27 first downs. The Raiders had 229 yards and 16 first downs.
Nix was highly efficient, completing 31 of 38 passes.
Nik Bonitto had two sacks, giving him 12 1/2 for the season. He is the first Denver player with double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons since Von Miller did it five straight times from 2014-18.
Smith was 13 of 21 for 116 yards and a touchdown. Pickett completed 8 of 11 passes for 96 yards and a TD.
“I've seen a lot of Kenny in practice,” Carroll said. “He's active, he's quick, he's really athletic, he's a good thinker, he's clearly a competitive guy. I see nothing but positive stuff. I'm coaching the hell out of him because I want him to be ready if the opportunity pops.”
Maxx Crosby had two tackles for loss, giving him 25 for the season to break his team record of 23 set three years ago.
Each team had just one possession in the first quarter — and made them count.
The Broncos opened with a 14-play, 81-yard drive that took 8:54, with Nix running in from 8 yards to complete the series. Then the Raiders took the remaining time off the clock, with Smith hitting Brock Bowers for a 15-yard TD.
That was the first opening-series touchdown the Broncos have allowed this season. It also was the first opening Las Vegas drive to go the distance since the first game at New England.
Both offenses had their difficulties in the second quarter, with the only score coming on a 48-yard punt return for a touchdown by Denver's Marvin Mims Jr.
RJ Harvey's 3-yard scoring run late in the third period gave Denver what seemed like an almost insurmountable two-touchdown lead. Harvey has five TD runs this season and four through the air.
Daniel Carlson's 46-yard field goal on the final play gave a particularly nasty beat to Broncos bettors. Denver was favored by 7 1/2 points at BetMGM Sportsbook.
Carlson would never have had a shot at the field goal if Broncos safety Brandon Jones hadn't drawn a delay-of-game penalty for not allowing wide receiver Tyler Lockett to get up after a 26-yard gain. That penalty stopped the clock with 5 seconds remaining.
“We're going to run the clock out,” Payton said. “That wasn't real smart.”
Broncos: DT D.J. Jones (ankle) and TE Nate Adkins (knee) did not play.
Raiders: CB Kyu Blu Kelly (knee), who leads the team with three interceptions, was injured early in the second quarter. ... TE Ian Thomas (calf) was hurt in the fourth quarter. ... TE Michael Mayer (ankle) and WRs Alex Bachman (thumb) and Dont’e Thornton Jr. (concussion) did not play.
Broncos: Host Green Bay next Sunday.
Raiders: Visit Philadelphia next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, middle, is carted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) scores in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
Denver Broncos' Marvin Mims Jr., middle, is congratulated by teammates after returning a punt for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
