Matt Breida Calls It a Career After 7 NFL Seasons

Well, here’s a twist that nobody saw coming. Matt Breida, the speedster who spent seven years dodging defenders in the NFL, just dodged the Miami Dolphins’ workout request in the most permanent way possible. By hanging up his cleats for good.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the 30-year-old running back decided he would rather start planning his post-football life than show the Dolphins what he has left in the tank. And honestly? Good for him. There is something refreshingly honest about a player who knows when it’s time to walk away, even when opportunity comes knocking.

Breida’s Decision Speaks Volumes About Player Priorities

The timing of this whole situation is fascinating. Here’s Miami, clearly desperate for some running back depth, reaching out to a veteran who knows their system. Breida spent the 2020 season in Miami, so it is not like he would be walking into completely foreign territory.

But instead of jumping at what could have been his ticket back to the NFL, Breida basically said, “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m out.” That takes guts, especially in a league where careers can end without warning and second chances aren’t guaranteed.

You have to wonder what was going through his mind when that workout request came in. Maybe he looked at his bank account, thought about all those hits he has taken over the years, and realized he would rather spend his Sundays doing literally anything else than getting tackled by 250-pound linebackers.

The Dolphins’ Search for Help Continues

This whole situation really highlights Miami’s current predicament at the running back position. When you are reaching out to guys who have not played in a season, that is usually not a great sign for your depth chart. The fact that they wanted to bring in Breida suggests they are not exactly thrilled with what they’ve got behind their starters.

The Dolphins probably thought they had a decent shot at getting him back. After all, he played 12 games for them in 2020, rushing for 254 yards on 59 carries and adding nine catches for 96 yards. Nothing spectacular, but solid enough production from a veteran who knew the system. Now they are back to square one, probably scrolling through their contacts looking for the next available back who might actually show up to a workout.

From Undrafted To NFL Success Story

Let’s give credit where it’s due. Breida’s career was pretty impressive for a guy who wasn’t even drafted. Coming out of Georgia Southern as an undrafted free agent in 2017, he had to scratch and claw his way onto the San Francisco 49ers’ roster. And boy, did he make the most of his opportunity.

His breakout came in 2018 with the 49ers, when he exploded for 1,075 total yards and 5 touchdowns. That season showed what Breida was capable of when given the chance. Pure speed and the ability to turn a simple handoff into a house call if the defense wasn’t paying attention.

Over his seven-year career, Breida accumulated 2,652 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground, plus 120 catches for 935 receiving yards and 6 more scores through the air. Not Hall of Fame numbers by any stretch, but respectable production for someone who started his NFL journey as a complete unknown.

The Georgia Southern Connection

Breida’s college career at Georgia Southern was where he first showed that special burst that would serve him well in the pros. In his debut season with the Eagles, he torched defenses for 1,485 yards and 17 touchdowns. Those are the kind of numbers that make scouts take notice, even at a smaller school.

He followed that up with another monster season, grinding out 1,608 yards and 17 more touchdowns. Sure, his senior year wasn’t as spectacular, but by then he had already done enough to earn his shot at the next level. The fact that he made it from an undrafted free agent to a seven-year NFL veteran speaks to his work ethic and natural ability. Not everyone can make that leap, especially from a program that doesn’t typically produce a ton of NFL talent.

What This Means For Future NFL Careers

Breida’s decision to retire instead of taking one more shot with Miami might signal a broader shift in how veteran players approach the twilight of their careers. Gone are the days when guys would chase paychecks until their bodies literally couldn’t take it anymore.

Today’s players are more educated about the long-term effects of head trauma and accumulated injuries. They are also, generally speaking, better prepared financially for life after football. When you combine those factors, it makes perfect sense that someone like Breida would choose his health and happiness over one more NFL paycheck.

It is also worth noting that he spent last summer in training camp with the 49ers before getting cut, so he already had a preview of what trying to make a comeback looks like. Maybe that experience convinced him that the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze anymore.

The Dolphins Move Forward

So, where does this leave Miami? Well, they’re probably already on to Plan B, C, or maybe even Plan Z at this point. The NFL’s running back market isn’t exactly overflowing with available talent, especially this late in the preseason. They will likely turn their attention to other veteran options or maybe give some younger guys on their roster a longer look. Either way, Breida’s retirement probably wasn’t the answer they were hoping for when they placed that workout call.

The silver lining for Miami is that this whole situation happened now rather than after they had already invested time and resources into bringing him in for a workout. At least they can move on quickly and focus their efforts elsewhere.

A Classy Exit

At the end of the day, there is something admirable about how Breida handled this situation. Instead of stringing the Dolphins along or taking a workout just to see if he still had it, he was upfront about his decision to retire. That kind of honesty probably saved everyone involved a great deal of time and effort.

Seven years in the NFL is nothing to sneeze at, especially for an undrafted player. Breida carved out a nice little career for himself, made some money, and now he gets to walk away on his own terms. In a league where so many careers end with injuries or getting cut, that is pretty rare. Whatever comes next for Breida, he can look back on his NFL career with pride. From undrafted longshot to seven-year veteran. That is a success story anyway you slice it.