3 days ago
Former Giants RB Steps Away from the Game
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After playing in the NFL since 2017, the veteran running back Matt Breida is calling it a career.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Breida intends to file retirement paperwork sometime soon. And when the Miami Dolphins reportedly requested a workout for Breida, the veteran running back turned it down.
The former New York Giants rusher is wrapping up his career just two games shy of 100 appearances during the regular season.
Breida's career started in 2017. Coming out of Georgia Southern, where he appeared in 37 games across three seasons. In the NCAA, Breida took on 542 rushing attempts for 37 touchdowns. He was a two-time First-Team All-Sun Belt recipient.
Matt Breida #31 of the New York Giants signals for a first down during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Matt Breida #31 of the New York Giants signals for a first down during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Elsa/Getty Images
When Breida went to the NFL, he was an undrafted free agent. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie, becoming Carlos Hyde's backup.
As an UDFA rookie, Breida appeared in 16 games. He took on 105 rushing attempts, totaling 465 yards on the ground. He scored twice as a runner, and reached the endzone in the receiving game once.
During his second season in the NFL, Breida started in 13 games. He rushed for a career-high 814 yards and three touchdowns. He would play in just one more season with the 49ers in 2019. That's when he carried the ball 123 times for 623 yards and one touchdown.
In 2020, Breida was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a fifth-round pick. He struggled to carve out a role in Miami, taking on just 59 carries for 254 yards in 12 games. After one year with the Dolphins, Breida moved on and signed with the Buffalo Bills for one season. Once again, Breida struggled to find a consistent role, playing in just nine games.
The Giants picked up Breida in 2022 with a one-year contract. At the time, Saquon Barkley was still in the building, which limited Breida to a backup role for 16 of 17 games. With the Giants, he took on just 54 carries in the first year. Breida totaled 220 yards and scored one touchdown. In the receiving game, Breida caught 20 passes for 118 yards.
Nobody knew it yet, but the 2023 season with the Giants ended up being Breida's final go-round in the league. He appeared in 17 games and had just 55 carries. Breida struggled by averaging 2.8 yards per carry. He reached the endzone one time throughout the year, totaling 151 yards.
Last season, Breida attempted to form a reunion with the San Francisco 49ers. Although he was on board for most of training camp, the 49ers released the veteran rusher before they reached September. Breida spent the 2024 NFL season on the free agency market.
Now, he'll call it a career. Breida leaves the game with 2,652 yards and nine touchdowns. He had 120 catches for 935 yards and six touchdowns.
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