The New England Patriots have won the AFC East and are on their way to the playoffs. It's been a terrific first year for Mike Vrabel as head Coach and chief personnel evaluator. The season is never out of season, and one team that will see changes is the New York Jets.
Bleacher Report has zeroed in on a top running back the Jets may add in free agency as a good fit.
Gone are the days when the New York Jets were the Patriots' top rival. In the days when Rex Ryan and Bill Belichick were fighting it out in the East, things were at a fever pitch whenever the green met the silver and blue. Now, everything has changed. The Patriots have Vrabel and a super quarterback, Drake Maye.
Without a top quarterback, the Jets have languished. They may need to use a high pick on one this offseason. In addition, they may very well lose their top running back, Breece Hall, who's a free agent. One major outlet sees a possible top replacement in a Dallas Cowboys back who's also a free agent this offseason.
The Jets' signing of Javonte Williams could be a problem for the Patriots
If Hall leaves the Jets, they'll be looking for a solid replacement. Williams fits the bill. While no running back in the NFL will replace the need for a top-notch quarterback, having ancillary pieces in place is never a bad thing.
Bleacher Report sees a free agent running back from the Cowboys as a nice fit for the Patriots' AFC East rival New York Jets.
"Joining the Cowboys reinvigorated (Javonte) Williams, who went on to post a career-best 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns on 252 carries in 2025. Williams bet on himself and now gets to hit free agency at an ideal time.
The New York Jets make plenty of sense as a landing spot for the five-year veteran. Gang Green will likely be in the market for a Breece Hall replacement this spring and could replicate a good chunk of their star's production at a cheaper cost via Williams."
Williams would certainly fit the bill to replace a 1000-yard rusher in Hall with a similar quality back. Those backs don't grow on trees. The division-winning Patriots don't even have one on their roster. It's an asset that pays dividends.
The Jets may get a quarterback in the draft to pair with Williams
The Jets currently have the third overall pick in the draft as things currently stand. Two quarterbacks rank at the top of the draft in 2026. They are Dante Moore of Oregon and Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. Unless the draft status changes or the Raiders and/or Giants pass on one of the top two, the Jets may have to seek other options.
Regardless, the Jets will need to replace Hall if he seeks greener pastures elsewhere, as he's likely to do. Locked into a perennial loser is not the best situation for a solid running back who's just 24 years old. Expect him to leave, and Williams could be a solid replacement.
Regardless of what the Jets do with their running back situation, as was seen with the Patriots the past two seasons, the foundational piece has to be the quarterback. The Jets will likely make a move, whether with the third overall pick or wherever they ultimately pick, or soon thereafter.
If they choose wisely, as the Patriots did in 2024 with the brilliant Drake Maye, then their renaissance could begin. If not, expect more losing seasons until they finally do.