49ers reunifying with familiar face could have serious dividends

The 49ers are bringing back an old friend, Matt Breida, who could play a bigger role than you think.

While the rest of the NFL world was focusing on the explosion of rumors and reports surrounding San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and his seemingly imminent trade that may not go down unless it does, the Niners quietly staged a workout with an old pal, opting to sign him to a one-year deal.

Veteran running back Matt Breida, who joined San Francisco as an undrafted free agent back in 2017 out of Georgia Southern and actually led the 49ers a year later with 814 rush yards, is back on the team that originally signed him.

News of the transaction was first reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler:

Breida was gradually phased out by head coach Kyle Shanahan over the course of 2019, and the rusher spent the last four years with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Giants.

In 2023, Breida rushed for just 151 yards on 55 carries with a touchdown, and he hasn't come close to matching that 2018 total since departing the Bay Area.

Now, the 28-year-old veteran is back. And his role could potentially be bigger than one would think.

Matt Breida isn't just another 49ers training camp body

Breida hasn't had a lot of wear and tear on his body ever since leaving the Niners, primarily serving as a second- or third-string running back.

San Francisco already has a bell cow in All-Pro Christian McCaffrey, and Breida is no threat to his prowess. But the depth chart beind McCaffrey is quite fluid and experienced recent changes. Fellow running back Elijah Mitchell has a lengthy injury history, while rookie rusher Isaac Guerendo is likely landing on an injured list because of a hamstring issue suffered in training camp.

Aside from those two, the 49ers boast third-year pro Jordan Mason and offseason free-agent pickup, Patrick Taylor Jr.

Breida has an excellent shot to outperform those latter two names, and injuries could open the door for him to overtake Mitchell and/or Guerendo, too. If that ends up happening, Breida's role and importance behind McCaffrey can't be understated.

At the same time, Breida's own future isn't guaranteed, and he could ultimately be a camp body if the Niners revert back to the depth chart they had entering camp.

But the former seems much more likely.

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