Chiefs to spend $42 million to acquire Pro Bowl running back before the trade deadline

Kansas City has been dealing with issues on the defensive line — both at tackle and edge — while injuries and inconsistent offensive performances could also push the team to make an aggressive addition before November 4.

“The Chiefs need an edge rusher, but the bigger need might be upgrading from Derrick Nnadi, who ranks dead last among qualifying defensive tackles with a 13.2% run-stop win rate,” wrote Brian Schatz of ESPN on Wednesday, October 29. “He also has a 0% pass-rush win rate, although he only plays a handful of clear passing downs each game.”

However, Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report believes Kansas City will focus instead on the offensive backfield — specifically by pursuing a trade with the New York Jets for running back Breece Hall.

“Hall is a pending free agent, and the Jets probably have bigger priorities this season, while the Chiefs haven’t gotten as much production as expected from their backfield,” Gagnon wrote Wednesday. “Hall could be had for a mid-round pick and would immediately become a key piece in a rotation that already includes Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, who’s been taking up significant snaps.”

Jets Have Little Incentive to Keep Breece Hall Beyond the Deadline

Hall, the 2022 second-round pick, is just 24 years old and currently in the final year of his rookie deal worth $9 million. His projected market value as a free agent is roughly $10.5 million per year on a new four-year, $42 million contract.

The Jets already have two young running backs — Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis — both drafted in 2024 and under rookie contracts through 2027. Given that, Hall’s long-term future in New York appears uncertain. The team sits at 1–7, finally earning its first win of the 2025 season just last weekend, and faces serious roster questions as it continues to rebuild toward its first winning campaign since 2015.

Adding to the instability, Jets owner Woody Johnson recently dismissed quarterback Justin Fields, even though Fields started and played well against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. With New York likely targeting a new quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, it makes little financial sense for the team to pay top dollar — an eight-figure salary — to a running back while entering yet another rebuild.

That reality makes Breece Hall one of the most likely trade candidates in the league heading into next week’s deadline — and the Chiefs could be ready to make a move to bring the dynamic rusher to Kansas City.