The New York Giants added to the backfield, signing veteran running back Matt Breida on Monday morning
The New York Giants signed veteran running back Matt Breida Monday morning, league sources confirm to FanSided, a move that could have a trickle-down impact on star Saquon Barkley.
Breida‘s signing was first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Veteran running back Matt Breida has signed with the New York Giants, per source. New York gets a speedster in the backfield after Breida comes from Buffalo.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 21, 2022
The veteran running back follows Giants head coach Brian Daboll to East Rutherford, from the Buffalo Bills. Last season, Breida averaged 4.8 yards per carry, while rushing for 125 yards and one touchdown in nine games.
Earlier this month, the New York Giants released veteran back Devontae Booker, in a move to clear cap space, and it is easy to envision Breida occupying the change-of-pace role Booker did a year ago alongside Barkley.
However, despite a limited market, Barkley is likely the most attractive commodity the Giants have to offer on the trade market, and it isn’t difficult to envision general manager Joe Schoen trying to move on from the former No. 2 overall pick.
If the New York Giants are somehow able to recoup an asset for Barkley in a trade, Breida’s familiarity with Daboll and the offensive scheme would make him an easy fit to ascend to the starting role.
A former undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers out of Georgia Southern in 2017, Breida has rushed for 2,281 yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging 4.9 yards per attempt in 64 career games.