New York Jets running back Breece Hall can say he doesn't want to be traded ahead of next Tuesday's 4:00 p.m. Eastern deadline, but that's obviously not going to stop anyone, including us here at Bolt Beat, from speculating. Sorry, Breece, that's just how it goes when you're a good player on a bad team.
And make no mistake about it; Gang Green is an absolute mess right now, even with that wild 39-38 comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday, a win Hall played a big part in, rushing for a season-high 133 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries, adding another 14 yards on a pair of receptions, and even tossing the game-tying touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter that ultimately led the Jets to victory.
The Los Angeles Chargers, of course, had high hopes at the running back position this season, first signing four-year veteran and four-time 1000-yard rusher Najee Harris in free agency and then using their first-round draft pick to select North Carolina alum and two-time All-American Omarion Hampton.
But things haven't gone the way Jim Harbaugh & Co. had hoped, as Harris suffered an eye injury that forced him to miss the entire preseason and is now lost for the year after tearing his Achilles in Week 3. Hampton has certainly shown flashes of brilliance, including a 128-yard rushing effort in Week 4 against the New York Giants, but he's now sitting on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
So, naturally, the Chargers have been named as a potential destination for Hall. Kimani Vidal has filled in beautifully, posting a pair of 100-yard outings in the last three weeks, but adding another back, especially one as talented as Hall, who's actually on pace to have the best season of his career, would obviously be in the Bolts' best interest.
But even beyond just helping themselves, another benefit for the Chargers in this scenario would be keeping Hall from going to one of the other teams that's been named by many pundits as a possible destination, that being none other than the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chargers could help themselves and hurt the Chiefs by trading for Breece Hall
The Chiefs had a rough start to the season, losing their first two games, including a Week 1 defeat in Brazil at the hands of the Chargers. But since losing their Super Bowl rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, the nine-time defending AFC West champs have won five of six heading into their high-profile matchup with the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, and the offense has certainly gotten a spark since the return of wideout Rashee Rice.
Now, Kansas City obviously already has a decent duo of backs in Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. But it's interesting to note that while Pacheco leads the Chiefs with 329 rushing yards on the year, Patrick Mahomes sits in second with 280, with Hunt trailing in third at 245.
Andy Reid is always looking to add pieces ahead of the deadline, and if the Jets are actually willing to deal Hall, you can bet that the Chiefs will be in the mix.
The Chargers clearly have more than just the Chiefs to worry about in the AFC West, as it's actually the Denver Broncos leading the division right now at 6-2. But everyone knows what can happen when Kansas City gets hot, and that's what's happening at the moment. And if the Chiefs take down the Bills this weekend, watch out.
So, again, while it would certainly cost the Chargers some draft capital and maybe even a player or two, adding Hall if possible would be beneficial for several reasons.