There’s no surprise to find Shawn Jefferson and Tony Dews a bit dazed and agog. Both are now coaches for two of the most compelling players of the NFL, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, respectively. At the young ages of 24 and 23, these dynamic athletes have stirred fascination not just among fans but even seasoned players like Aaron Rodgers. Both Wilson, a wide receiver, and Hall, a running back, have demonstrated exceptional play that places them among the brightest luminaries of the sport.
Wilson became part of the Jets’ family in 2024, his impact palpable since he joined the training camp on the last day of July. As the franchise quarterback, Rodgers shares an energetic synergy with Wilson from vigorous debates on tactic measures to their shared passion for the game. Jefferson’s testimonial about Wilson is one filled with admiration as he describes his eagerness to achieve and his readiness to go the extra mile as a ‘coach’s dream’.
There’s a parallel that’s drawn by Rodgers between Wilson and his former Packers receiver, Davante Adams. Wilson’s agility in breaking out from the pack and his quick thinking at the commencing set — Rodgers finds all these attributes reminiscent of Adams. Wilson, measuring six feet in height and weighing 192 pounds, yields a considerable comparison to Adams, who stands an inch taller and weighs 216 pounds.
Jefferson, with his own impressive NFL history including 13 seasons and 470 receptions, tends to avoid direct comparisons but acknowledges some unmistakable resemblances. One of the noteworthy traits, according to Jefferson, of a remarkable receiver is the ability to make challenging plays look mundane. Wilson’s ease in playing those challenging parts is something that Jefferson attributes to the likes of NFL legends like Calvin Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins.
Jefferson recounts his fascination when he first witnessed Wilson’s play. He played hard, yet made it look effortless. Jefferson observed Wilson’s agility, how his body fluidly flexed to any movement without ever losing his excellent position on the field. This unique talent, Jefferson declares, is a gift, and he feels the only caution he should take is to not unintentionally tamper with it.
Meanwhile, over in Hall’s court — Breece Hall, the running back. Under Dews’ guidance for the first year, Hall has shown promise. Hall’s prowess isn’t limited to a specific play or down, he’s versatile with a unique ability to aid in passing plays, running routes, and exhibiting a deft touch in running games.
Dews recognized Hall’s speed on the field as subtly deceptive. Many times, Dews observed Hall seemingly lagging behind, only to realize upon reviewing the footage that Hall was moving faster than apparent. Dews, who had the experience of coaching Derrick Henry at the Titans, appreciates the complexity Hall brings into his game, earning himself the epithet ‘Breece The Beast’.
Hall is not just about physical prowess, though. Dews recognises him as an intelligent player who isn’t afraid to question, reason and approach the game with a strategic mindset. He shows a remarkable ability to communicate effectively with teammates, specifically with Rodgers and other quarterbacks, enriching overall team dynamics. Unarguably, Hall’s best attribute – his readiness to lend a helping hand to his fellow players in the room.
With dynamic players like Wilson and Hall on the green field, the opportunities are abundant. As a testament, Wilson even played with Rodgers, tackling four snaps steadfastly while Rodgers was sidelined with an Achilles injury last season. Despite Rodgers’ absence, Wilson managed to hold his position and caught a staggering 95 balls from Zach Wilson & Co.
Taking Hall into account, we see a running back whose prowess extends to receiving play in the backfield, a fact demonstrated by his impressive statistics of 76-591-4 TDs in 2023. Rodgers draws a comparison between Hall and revered Packers RB Ahman Green; similar in physical stature, both have displayed natural hands and an equal prowess in making the catches.
Dews commends Hall’s fluid style, athleticism, and his ability to execute radical directional changes. In terms of routing capabilities, Hall can be compared to skilled backs such as Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey. While Dews doesn’t directly compare Hall to these players, he acknowledges similarities in their approach to active engagement in successful passing plays, contributing immensely to the team’s overall performance.
During a joint scrimmage with the Commanders, Wilson expressed his desire for greater freedom on the field, personally requesting Jefferson, ‘Turn me loose Thursday.’ This thirst for independence and self-improvement reflects the inherent qualities of highly driven athletes, something Jefferson sees as a dream come true for a coach.
So here they are, a rare pairing of exceptional talent – Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall – a spectacular show of sport skills invoking notions of the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ story within the dynamic world of NFL.