Former San Francisco 49ers Leading Rusher Announces Retirement

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Matt Breida celebrates in the first half against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game on January 19, 2020.

On Thursday August 4, 2025, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported former San Francisco 49ers starting running back Matt Breida plans to retire.

The Miami Dolphins, who Breida, 30, formerly played with, recently requested a workout with him, but Breida declined.

In addition to the Niners and Dolphins, Breida also played for the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. His career totals will finish at 2,652 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns.

Breida Was A Memorable Presence on the 49ers

Matt Breida was always the ultimate underdog story for the 49ers faithful to root for. He went undrafted in 2017 after a disappointing senior season at Georgia Southern in 2016.

Georgia Southern’s new Head Coach at the time, Tyler Sumners, failed to institute a successful triple option offense, contributing to the decline in Breida’s performance.

But the 49ers gave Breida a shot as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He rewarded them by playing his way up the depth chart and becoming the primary backup to Carlos Hyde ahead of his rookie season in 2017.

Breida immediately made a massive impact for an undrafted rookie, carrying the ball 105 times for 465 yards and 3 total touchdowns.

In his second season with the 49ers, Breida beat out Alfred Morris for the starting running back job by Week 2. His career highlight came in that first Week 2 start. He put up 138 yards rushing, best in the NFL that week, and scored a touchdown in San Francisco’s 30-27 win over the Detroit Lions.

He led the 49ers with 814 rushing yards that season despite dealing with ankle issues. He was second behind George Kittle in scrimmage yards in 2018.

Breida spent the 2019 season in San Francisco before the 49ers traded him to the Dolphins for a 2020 fifth round pick, which they used to select OL Colton McKivitz, who has become a starting right tackle for the Niners.

The 49ers re-signed him late in the 2024 preseason. Niner fans were hopeful for a reunion, especially after Breida played in all 17 games in back to back seasons with the Giants.

But the 49ers released him on August 26, 2024. That’s the last tenure Breida will have with any NFL team.

State Of The 49ers Running Back Room Now

It’s a shame that the 49ers’ reunion with Matt Breida didn’t work out in 2024, because they honestly could have used him.

Injuries to Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason meant the 49ers were reaching down the depth chart to try and find productive running backs.

Even now, the 49ers are dealing with injuries to Isaac Guerendo, Jordan James and Ameer Abdullah. Their healthiest backup to McCaffrey is Patrick Taylor Jr., who has 444 total career rushing yards.

But, 49ers faithful still remember Matt Breida fondly and wish him the best in his retirement. Maybe undrafted rookie Corey Kiner will be the next Breida. He has an opportunity to shoot up the depth chart this preseason with so many injures. I’m sure seeing Kiner succeed would make Breida smile.

What is your favorite memory of Matt Breida’s career, 49ers fans? Do you wish you could see him suit up in the red and gold one more time?

Ethan Inman is a sports journalist covering the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Las Vegas Raiders for heavy.com. He also co-hosts a college football podcast for The Voice of College Football, and writes about the NBA and MLB. He has previously covered the USC Trojans, the NHL, college baseball, and the intersection of sports and popular culture for other publications. He is based in the greater Los Angeles area. More about Ethan Inman