Broncos Were Eyeing Breece Hall, Could Pivot To Kenneth Walker Or Travis Etienne

According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, the Broncos were planning to pursue Jets RB Breece Hall and would like to make a big move at running back in free agency. 

The interest from Denver prompted New York to use the franchise tag instead of the transition tag like the Jets had originally planned with Hall, per Jones. The transition tag was $3 million cheaper, but would have only given the Jets the right of first refusal on an offer sheet for Hall. 

Jones adds the Broncos will be an obvious landing spot for Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker after Seattle declined to franchise him, and Jaguars RB Travis Etienne is another option. 

Hall, 24, was a two-time All-American, as well as a two-time Big 12 player of the year during his time at Iowa State. The Jets used the No. 36 overall pick in the second round on him in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

He signed a four-year, $9,014,774 contract that included a $3,736,199 signing bonus. Hall played out the final year of that deal in 2025 and was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. 

The Jets franchised Hall at a sum of $14.293 million fully guaranteed for the 2026 season. 

In 2025, Hall appeared in 16 games for the Jets and rushed for 1,065 yards on 243 carries (4.3 YPC) with four touchdowns to go along with 36 receptions on 48 targets for 350 yards receiving and another touchdown. He also threw a touchdown pass. 

Walker, 25, was selected with the No. 41 overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Seahawks. He played out the final year of a four-year $8,441,580 contract that included a $3,319,331 signing bonus.

Walker is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. 

In 2025, Walker appeared in all 17 games for the Seahawks and rushed 221 times for 1,027 yards (4.6 YPC) and five touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes for 282 yards. 

Etienne, 27, was a three-year starter at Clemson and a first-team All-American in his final three seasons. The Jaguars used the No. 25 overall pick in the first round on him in 2021. 

Etienne signed a four-year, $12,898,105 rookie contract with the Jaguars that included a $6,740,440 signing bonus. The Jaguars exercised his fifth-year option worth $6.143 million guaranteed for the 2025 season. 

He’s slated to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. 

In 2025, Etienne appeared in all 17 games for the Jaguars and rushed 260 times for 1,107 yards (4.3 YPC) and seven touchdowns, adding 36 receptions on 52 targets for 292 yards and another six touchdowns.

We have them included in our Top 100 – 2026 NFL Free Agents.