The San Francisco 49ers are releasing veteran running back Matt Breida as a means of finalizing their 53-man roster. The move ended his second stint with the team though he had good years the first time around. This release came because he did not perform as well as needed and suffered from injury setbacks. This move reflects how the 49ers are currently shaping their roster. Let’s delve deep into the reasons for making this decision and what follows for the 49ers as they get into the new season.
Breida’s Career with the 49ers
Matt Breida was a first-year player for the 49ers in 2017, and he quickly made a name for himself. In his first three seasons, he had an average of five yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns. He was a very important figure in the 49ers’ offense with his explosive runs and solid performances. Breida has since gone on to play for Miami and Buffalo, including times as a backup and on special teams.
After stints with the Bills and Dolphins, Breida spent the past two seasons with the New York Giants. Earlier this month, he returned to the 49ers as a free agent. His return partly came due to a hamstring injury from rookie Isaac Guerendo that opened up a spot for Breida. With improved health for Guerendo, however, it wasn’t quite as clear how things would look for Breida.
49ers Roster Impact
While there are no doubts about Christian McCaffrey being a starter for the 49ers in the backfield, they have some more depth in Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason. In that case, if they released Breida, it means they were confident that those players would provide adequate support. Before they requested off-waiver waivers, the 49ers probably intended to get the right player who suited their wishes as they shaped the roster.
At 29, Matt Breida has shown he can be a great depth contributor, even as he hasn’t eclipsed 153 carries in a season since 2018. He has the experience and special team value to fight for other teams for his services. He may not be one of the immediately sought-after running backs, but based on his track record alone, he’s a good candidate to find a new team’s roster or practice squad.
Becoming a vested veteran means that Breida will no longer exercise the waiver process to clear another roster. He will now be open to pursuing additional opportunities without any consequences. Teams will first determine their own needs before moving forward and Breida’s next opportunity may come when other teams have set their final rosters.
Looking Ahead
His release could thus pique interest from teams needing an experienced backup running back, though many teams are sorting through their own roster decisions. The experience could make Breida a really attractive option for teams needing added depth. Unless immediate offers come his way, the 49ers might then consider re-signing him onto their practice squad.
The release of Matt Breida by the 49ers just goes to show how well they can integrate younger talent and handle roster depth. Just that the release of Breida this time means the end to his second tenure with the team, it also makes room for somebody else to step in. As Breida goes to find his next destination, the 49ers will not only move on confidently but with a current lineup full of most positions’ depth and good smart roster moves. Fans will watch closely to see how this move affects the performance of the team in the coming season.
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