The New York Giants are signing veteran running back Matt Breida, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, it’s a one-year deal.
Breida spent the 2021 season with the Buffalo Bills where a separated shoulder and knee hyperextension limited his contributions to just 125 yards on 26 carries in just nine games.
It’s been just the latest unsuccessful stop in the 27-year-old’s career after a promising 2018 season with the San Francisco 49ers in which he posted 814 yards — suggesting that he would be trending toward the top tier of backs in the NFL.
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Instead, Breida has averaged just 334 yards per season over the last three years with the 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Bills.
There is plenty of promise in his game, however, which is why the Giants likely took a flyer on him. One of the fastest backs in the league when healthy, he has averaged nearly five yards per carry (4.9) over his 64 career games.
BREIDA THE CHEETAH@MattBreida goes 83 yards! 🏃♂️💨 #GoNiners
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Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/sST1rDvyeO pic.twitter.com/n5d8toSPt8— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2019
It adds an intriguing option to a Giants backfield that is riddled with question marks this offseason.
The book is still out on whether or not Saquon Barkley will return to the team in 2022 as trade rumors continue to swirl around the once-perceived franchise superstar. For now, Breida is a quality backup option should he stay off the injured list, but an opportunity for that role to expand could be around the corner if New York decides to shake up its backfield.
