Former Dolphins RB Matt Breida Retires After Declining Tryout

Former Miami Dolphins running back Matt Breida has announced his retirement from professional football, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Breida’s decision comes after he did not play any snaps during the 2024 season and turned down a tryout offer from the Dolphins earlier this week.

Breida, who played for seven seasons across five different teams, spent the 2020 season with the Dolphins. His career includes stints with the San Francisco 49ers, where he began his professional journey, and other teams including the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. During his time in Miami, he recorded 254 yards on 59 carries, along with nine receptions for 96 yards.

Tryout Offer Following Injury

The Dolphins reached out to Breida for a potential tryout after a serious injury to running back Alexander Mattison. Mattison suffered a season-ending neck injury during a game against the Bears when he was thrown to the ground by rookie defensive back Tysheem Johnson. The injury prompted the Dolphins to explore additional options in their running back corps.

In their search, the Dolphins opted to sign Mike Boone and Aaron Shampklin after assessing several candidates. Boone has played in 72 career games, accumulating 590 rushing yards and four touchdowns over seven seasons. He has also participated in two postseason games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2019.

Shampklin, on the other hand, has had limited experience, appearing in just three games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, where he carried the ball six times for 17 yards.

Current Landscape of Dolphins’ Running Back Room

With the recent changes, the Dolphins’ running back room is leaning heavily on younger talent. Following the signing of Boone and Shampklin, it appears that De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, and rookie Ollie Gordon are the likely candidates to make the final 53-man roster. Achane, entering his third season, stands out as the most experienced player among this group, while Wright is in his second year and Gordon is a newcomer.

Breida’s departure marks the end of a chapter in his career, and while he may not be returning to the field, his contributions, particularly during his time with the Dolphins, will be remembered by fans and teammates alike. As he steps away from the game, the Dolphins continue to navigate their roster changes in preparation for the upcoming season.