49ers' speedy ex-RB retires from NFL after turning down workout

Billy Heyen

49ers' speedy ex-RB retires from NFL after turning down workout image

One of the fastest running backs the San Francisco 49ers have ever had has decided his days of speeding past defenders on the gridiron are over.

On Thursday, Matt Breida was reported as retiring from the NFL, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported that Breida was recently requested to work out for the Dolphins, but he declined.

At 30 years old, Breida heads into the next stage of his life. He played seven seasons in the NFL.

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Breida's 98 NFL games were split between the 49ers, the Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants.

He totaled 2,652 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground in his career. Through the air, Breida added 120 catches for 935 yards and six more TDs.

His best season came in 2018 with the 49ers. He had 1,075 total yards and five touchdowns.

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Breida was with the 49ers in training camp in 2024 but was released before the season and didn't sign with anyone else.

Originally, Breida entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Southern. He had starred immediately in the Sun Belt Conference, running for 1,485 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first season playing at Georgia Southern. He went for 1,608 yards and 17 TDs again the next season, then struggled in his senior campaign before making it to the NFL.

And now, nearly nine years after Breida's college career ended, his NFL career has run its course, as well. It was quite the journey for the undrafted RB from a small school.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle