Running back Matt Breida signed his one-year tender with the San Francisco 49ers this past week. After doing so, he stated that he and his teammates have "unfinished business," referring to the 49ers' Super Bowl LIV loss in February, and that the team is ready to prove its doubters wrong.
That certainly sounds like a man eager to get to work and kick off a "Legendary Revenge Tour."
Jeremy Fowler paints a bit of a different picture in a quick note within a draft feature for ESPN.
There are still those who don't expect Breida to be on the 49ers roster in September (or whenever the season ends up starting). San Francisco's backfield is crowded. In addition to Breida, the team has breakout star Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon, and Jeff Wilson Jr. It could even add another player in the next week via the draft or as an undrafted free agent for depth.
RB Matt Breida signed his one-year, RFA tender today. His window for negotiating with other teams was set to expire tomorrow. #49ers still could trade Breida, perhaps during the draft.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 16, 2020
That may leave Breida as the odd man out because his speed creates trade value. While he ranked second in rushing on the team last year with 623 yards, Mostert's productivity down the stretch downgraded Breida's label as the featured back.
So what exactly did Fowler say about Breida? He believes the running back would welcome a fresh start.
"If they want to get creative, the 49ers can include players in any deal," Fowler wrote while discussing the possibility of San Francisco trading down from No. 31 overall in this week's draft. "Running back Matt Breida is believed to be on the trading block as the odd man out in a crowded tailback crew (he would welcome the fresh start too), and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin still has elite speed, which holds value."
It's that little note that's an interesting one, and it was tough to ignore. Would Breida embrace a change of scenery if it meant the possibility of earning a bigger role? Fowler doesn't word it as a speculative statement by saying Breida would "likely welcome" or "could welcome" a move. Instead, he says the running back "would welcome" the fresh start.
Perhaps it's reading too much into such a minor note, but does Fowler have insider information into Breida's thinking?
Aside from his blazing speed, Breida has averaged five yards per rushing attempt in his three NFL seasons while showing off his versatility as a capable target in the passing game. He has rushed for 1,902 yards on 381 carries and six scores during his NFL career while adding 67 receptions for 561 yards with four receiving touchdowns.
