Jets Lose Braelon Allen for 2025 — and His Injury Just Flipped the Entire Future of New York’s Backfield
We won’t be seeing Braelon Allen strap up again for the New York Jets in 2025.
Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed the news when he spoke to the media on Friday, November 28.
“More than likely, he is done for the season and getting himself ready for next season,” coach Glenn explained.
The former Wisconsin product was injured during the Week 4 road game against the Miami Dolphins. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport shared on September 30 that Allen suffered a “MCL sprain.”
Coach Glenn said Allen’s recovery timeline would be in the 8-12 weeks range. That initial rehab projection put Allen in line to potentially return this week against the Atlanta Falcons.
Allen Opted for Surgery
On October 21, Allen took to his Instagram, posting a photo of his knee with what appeared to be surgical scars via ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
“Day by day,” Allen wrote in a text caption with the picture.
“There are two different ways he can go about it,” Coach Glenn said in October via CBS Sports. “He could actually rehab this or he could have surgery and get it cleaned up. The rehab time would be exactly the same. That’ll be a decision he and his agent have to make, and I’m not making that decision for him.”
The Future of the Jets Running Back Position
Allen, 21, has two years remaining on his $4.5 million rookie contract through the 2027 season.
The talented running back entered the league as the No. 134 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
He has appeared in 21 games and has made two starts. With those opportunities, Allen has toted the rock 110 times for 410 rushing yards, has averaged 3.7 rushing yards per attempt, and has scored three times on the ground.
Through the air, Allen has caught 21 receptions for 165 receiving yards and has scored one receiving touchdown.
Allen’s Injury Changed the Jets’ Plans at the NFL Trade Deadline
NFL Insider Connor Hughes said on “Jets Final Drive” in August that “everyone likes to talk about Breece Hall because there was so much hype for him earlier in his career, I think Braelon Allen might be the Jets’ best running back. I really think he [Allen] is that good.”
Hall was the subject of some heavy rumors ahead of the NFL trade deadline. However, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Allen’s knee injury complicated matters for the team regarding whether they could move Hall.
It’s fair to wonder, if Allen never got hurt, would Hall still be a member of the team? That topic is likely better suited for the N “if” L rather than the reality of the situation. The trade deadline came and went — Hall remains under contract with the team through the rest of this season.
According to Hughes, the team has changed its stance on Hall’s future.
“It is insane how this has changed over the course of a month. I would have bet my mortgage on Breece Hall not being with this team in 2026 and probably half my mortgage on Breece Hall not being on the Jets after the trade deadline. They were fielding offers for him. He seemed pretty uninterested in being with the team long term. The Jets weren’t willing to invest in that position,” Hughes explained on “Jets Mailbag.”
“The Jets have the money to pay Hall and basically feel no ramifications from that at all. So it’s getting to the point where, why not bring him back … I mean, it’s crazy, I really didn’t think there was any chance of him returning next year. Now he could not only be with the Jets in 2026 but 2027 and 2028 as well,” Hughes continued.
Kellen Moore replaces Saints QB Tyler Shough and picks potential fastest player in college football during recent 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft
New Orleans Saints fans are surely flipping through plenty of 2026 mock drafts. With that, it is worth taking a specific look at multi-round scenarios for them. They're projected to have a top three overall selection in next year's draft.
Saints HC Kellen Moore addresses biggest needs in 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft
In Travis May's latest mock draft scenario, the Saints came out like bandits. They found a potential cornerstone quarterback for the long-term, an athletic and impactful pass rusher, and an offensive weapon with elite (!!) speed. I think this sort of outcome would be a massive win for Kellen Moore's team. Check out their picks below.
3. New Orleans Saints: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
"Fernando Mendoza is the QB1 in the 2026 NFL Draft class. He and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (not draft eligible) have put together the two most impressive 2025 college football seasons by a good margin at quarterback. Mendoza has done it with far less impressive skill position weapons too. Mendoza always had the natural arm talent prior to this year, but he’s finally put it all together, cleaning up his decision making and down field accuracy this season too. He ranks top five in passer rating, adjusted yards per pass attempt, QBR, yards per play, and most every other meaningful metric for quarterback play. The Saints get their future franchise passer here after quickly realizing that Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough were not it." -- Travis May
Mendoza is often projected as a top five pick, for good reason. He is the Heisman Trophy favorite and consistently shows the grit and talent of a future NFL starter. His production is undeniable under multiple staffs at different schools, and he fits the prototype of passer that the Saints staff would value for the future.
37. New Orleans Saints: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
Thomas is a really fun prospect for more reasons than one. He possesses an exciting blend of size and speed. Even being a bit undersized, he's proven to be able to get to the QB in the SEC. His motor always runs hot, and New Orleans desperately needs more upside off the edge. Cameron Jordan may be on his way to retirement, and Carl Granderson hasn't produced at quite the same rate this season.
68. New Orleans Saints: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
The Bulldogs wideout is one of the best downfield threats in all of college football. He's got a smaller frame (listed at 5'9, 170 pounds). That doesn't prevent him from having possibly the most impressive speed in the entire country. Adding him to an offense constructed by Kellen Moore makes a ton of sense.
“I've never seen a person with my own eyes that fast on the football field. Mario Craver was fast, but this guy is like Olympic fast.” -- Mississippi State WR coach Chad Bumphis on Thompson
Overall, this start to a class would be a decisive step in the right direction for New Orleans. Let's see if any of these prospects are on their radar by the time April rolls around.
