Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery, right, runs up field during the second half against the Bears on Jan. 4 in Chicago. (AP file photo)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The New York Jets don’t plan to let running back Breece Hall hit the open market at the start of the league year, while the futures of other top running backs such as Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and David Montgomery of the Detroit Lions remain more in flux.

Jets general manager Darren Mougey said Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine that the team plans to use either the franchise tag or the transition tag on Hall if the two sides can’t reach a new deal before the tag deadline on March 3.

Hall would be guaranteed a salary of about $14.5 million next season with the franchise tag and about $11.7 million with the transition tag. Another team could sign Hall to an offer sheet with the Jets having five days to match the offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation with a franchise tag or no compensation with a transition tag.

“The tags are an option,” Mougey said.

Hall was drafted in the second round in 2022. He rushed for a career-high 1,065 yards last season for New York and ranks 12th in the NFL with 2,935 yards rushing the past three seasons.

Only one running back in the NFL is scheduled to make at least $14 million in cash next season with 2024 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley set to be paid $16.75 million from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Walker’s status is more uncertain after he capped his fourth season in the NFL by winning Super Bowl MVP for Seattle when he rushed for 135 yards in the win earlier this month over New England.

Walker is coming off the second 1,000-yard rushing season of his career and averaged 104.3 yards per game rushing in the playoffs when he showed he could carry a heavy load after Zach Charbonnet went down with a season-ending knee injury in the divisional round.

Montgomery is still under contract in Detroit through the 2027 season and is owed about $6 million in 2026, but could be on the trade market as Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as the featured back for the Lions.

Montgomery, who turns 29 in June, is coming off career lows of 158 carries for 716 yards last season as Detroit’s offense revolved more around Gibbs, who is eligible for a contract extension this offseason.

Montgomery had rushed for 1,790 yards and 25 touchdowns his first two seasons with the Lions as the team’s starter but came off the bench in all 17 games last season.

“I’ve been in touch with David’s agent, his representation,” Lions GM Brad Holmes said. “We love David. He’s a great player. We’d love to have him. Kind of want to put last year in the rear view and just move forward.”

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