Will Matt Breida Have a Larger Role in Giants' Running Game?

Can Matt Breida hold off the improved competition in the running backs room to remain Saquon Barkley's primary backup?

Author:
Hunter De Siver
Publish date:
May 20, 2023 1:00 PM EDT

In this story:

Matt Breida, Running Back

Height: 5-foot-10 | Weight: 195 pounds
2022 stats: GP 17 / GS: 1. 54 carries for 220 yards and one touchdown. 20 receptions (25 targets) for 118 yards

On March 12, the New York Giants re-signed Matt Breida to a one-year deal worth up to $2.3 million, including incentives. Despite only starting one game, the Giants felt that Breida was a solid enough fit to remain the backup to two-time Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley again.

Breida is used to splitting carries, as he’s been doing it since his college days at Georgia Southern. He went undrafted in 2017 but was later signed by the 49ers. He spent three years in San Francisco before heading to the Dolphins in 2020, the Bills in 2021, and the Giants in 2022.

Best Case Scenario

There is a possibility that the Giants might gravitate to more of a committee approach at the running back position to reduce the pounding on starter Saquon Barkley. That means whoever wins the RB2 spot on the depth chart could be in line for a significant amount of playing time.

As of this writing, Breida is the incumbent, meaning RB2 is his job to lose. The 28-year-old, who doesn't exactly have a lot of wear and tear on his tires despite being in the league six seasons, has shown that he can get the job done if called upon to start.

Breida’s lone season as a starter in the NFL came in 2018 with the 49ers when he started 13 of 14 games. That year, he rushed 153 times for 814 yards and three touchdowns. His whopping 5.3 yards per carry was the fourth-most in the NFL that season.

Since entering the league, the backup running back's burst has stood out to the NFL community. Breida’s 83-yard touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in 2019 clocked him at 22.3 miles per hour, the fastest touchdown run since 2016.

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Worst Case Scenario

The Giants drafted running back Eric Gray out of Oklahoma in the fifth round, and the rookie could ultimately threaten any snaps Breida might have otherwise been penciled in for.

Breida, remember, is signed for this season only. Gray, on the other hand, is signed for the next four. As previously noted, the Giants seem to be looking to move toward a committee approach at running back to help take some of the onus off Barkley so that he remains fresh down the stretch.

As such, look for Gray, who during his college career proved to be effective as a runner, receiver out of the backfield, and pass blocker, to make a hard push for some of those committee snaps behind Barkley. And if that happens, that means a reduction in snaps for Breida, who, again, has incentives in his contract for this year.

What to Expect in 2023

Not many people are talking about the RB2 battle, which we suspect will become more focused if Barkley's contract impasse with the team continues and he decides to sit out the bulk of training camp. Still, that competition is among the many in which the coaches must declare a winner.

Breida's experience and familiarity in the offense--remember, he was in this system in Buffalo when Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the offensive coordinator--likely gives him the competitive edge, especially since rookies need to acclimate to the speed of the pro game.

But Gray isn't Breida's only competition. Gary Brightwell and second-year man Jashaun Corbin will also look to get the coaches' attention this summer.

That said, it's probably safe to hedge a bet on Breida being the backup to Barkley to start the season. Breida has the speed and experience to make big plays on Sundays and has shown he can get the job done when his number is called.