In March, cornerback Bryce Hall agreed to terms on a one-year contract, keeping the impending free agent in Tampa Bay. Heading into the 2024 campaign, Hall was slated as the team's primary third cornerback behind Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum. After coming in for an injured McCollum (concussion) in Week One, Hall sustained a dislocated ankle and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. His positive outlook amidst adversity catapulted Hall forward during the strenuous rehabilitation process.
"During the rehab process, I felt like I learned how much more important the mental side of the game and the spiritual side are, along with the physical," said Hall. "I really tried to begin to see myself being healed and being full strength and being able to make plays. Throughout that process I felt like with my faith, I felt like I had a positive mindset. I felt like I had a good journey and learned a lot. Those processes, I feel like they shape and mold you in a powerful way. That is how I try to approach it. Now when I am out there, I do not even think about my ankle."
Hall previously played in 39 games (26 starts) for the Jets, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2020. He started all 17 contests in 2021 and recorded 79 tackles and 16 passes defensed, tying for sixth in the NFL in that latter category, despite his final two seasons in New York being derailed by injuries.
With a clean bill of health in 2025, Hall has been like a magnet to the football on the practice fields at training camp, drawing notice from teammates.
"Bryce has been balling, he is the comeback [route] merchant," said Antoine Winfield Jr. "I mean, he has probably had two pick-sixes already. He has been doing a great job."
In addition to the interceptions, Hall has accumulated pass breakups as well. His reactive quickness and ball skills put him in prime position to challenge the catch point. Hall takes instinctive angles and plays with stellar route recognition. With long arms, 50-50 balls are tilted in Hall's favor. Comeback routes have become Hall's specialty, which can be some of the most difficult routes to defend because a receiver can sell a go route which creates separation at the break point as the corner's momentum takes him vertical. For Hall, anticipation is spurred from mental enhancement through film study.
"There are a few plays that you are going to know are coming in each game and when you have that feeling when you know it is coming, just pulling the trigger and if you get beat, get beat on something that you prepared for," noted Hall. "If they do something different than what you studied for, you study and you prepare and you do all the drills so that you can make those plays. For me, it was about pulling my trigger and those plays that you know are coming, you see it. A couple of those plays, I had a feeling ahead of time of what was coming and, in that place, you make plays. I am really playing free, and I am not worried about the outcome. I am just pulling my trigger and having fun out there. This training camp, I feel like when I step onto the field, I just flow with it and let the results speak for themselves."
Hall's ball production has been a bright spot of camp for Todd Bowles' defense and has ignited the unit in the sweltering Florda heat.
