The New York Giants are clearly signaling their offensive intentions with the hiring of John Harbaugh as head coach and Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator. Their focus? Developing franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart with a robust ground game as the foundation.
Now, rumors are swirling about potentially adding running back Najee Harris to the mix. But is this a solution in search of a problem? Or worse, a way to create one?
The Giants already boast a backfield that’s packed with potential. Cam Skattebo was electrifying before his unfortunate ankle injury cut his season short.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has shown he can handle the load, racking up over 1,000 all-purpose yards in each of his professional seasons. And let's not forget Devin Singletary, the seasoned veteran still delivering solid performances.
It’s a unit that might not be perfect, but it’s certainly effective.
Enter the Harris speculation. While The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer suggests the 28-year-old could join Big Blue in free agency, it feels like a move that looks backward rather than forward.
Harris showed promise in the Greg Roman offense with the Chargers before his season-ending injury. Now, with Roman on the Giants' staff, the idea is that Harris could bring some power to the backfield.
But does Matt Nagy really need Harris to elevate the ground game? The answer seems to be no.
Harris is a bruiser with four 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, but adding him might just complicate things. Nagy’s recent challenges with one-dimensional backs like Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in Kansas City highlight the need for versatility - something the Giants already have in Skattebo and Tracy. Even Singletary can contribute in the passing game.
Injecting Harris, who averages 3.9 yards per carry, into this dynamic doesn’t necessarily enhance it. It just adds another body to an already crowded room.
And then there’s the Achilles injury Harris suffered last year. Banking on a physical runner coming off such an injury is a gamble, even at a bargain price. You’re not getting the peak version of Harris; you’re getting the post-injury version, hoping he can still deliver.
The Giants would be wise to double down on their current strategy: young backs on affordable contracts, a rotation that maximizes each player’s strengths, and an offense that plays to its personnel. That’s the way forward.
Harris’ 4,300 career rushing yards are impressive, but Nagy and the Giants shouldn’t feel pressured to reshape their offense around him. If they feel the need to add another back, the draft offers plenty of options without disrupting what’s already working.