Najee Harris’ run with the Giants ended just as fast as the frustration started.
New York moved on from the veteran running back on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, only days after Harris publicly questioned how the team was handling its backfield rotation. The release comes after a rough performance in the Giants’ 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, when Harris managed just two yards on four carries.
Harris made it clear he was unhappy with the way the workload has been split up. After the game, he said the constant substitutions make it tough to settle in.
“It’s hard to get into a rhythm with one or two plays,” Harris told reporters. “If you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do. I’ve never been through none of this before.”
That complaint did not exactly land well with John Harbaugh. When asked about Harris’ comments, the head coach made it plain that the backfield rotation had not been earned yet.
“Our run game hasn’t earned that yet, none of those guys have,” Harbaugh said. “My advice would be, do the most you can with the opportunities you get.
Make the most of your opportunities and you’re sure to get more. Do something.
I get it, you want to get out there and get a rhythm, but that rhythm is earned, too. And that hasn’t happened yet.
I know he understands that.”
Harris’ numbers with New York help explain why the Giants were willing to make a change. He exits with 99 yards on 31 carries, good for 3.2 yards per attempt. He did come into the league with four straight 1,000-yard seasons, but his career average of 3.9 yards per carry is not the kind of mark that screams feature-back production, especially after last year’s torn Achilles.
The backfield issues weren’t all on Harris, though. The offensive line has not helped much, either, with Jon Runyan struggling and rookie Francis Mauigoa still working through the adjustment at guard. That said, the four-back setup clearly wasn’t producing, and the Giants are now looking elsewhere for answers.
With Harris gone, the path looks clearer for Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. to take on the bulk of the work. Those are the two most explosive options New York has, even if Skattebo still needs to clean up his hands.
If neither of them can seize the job, the Nov. 10 trade deadline is less than three weeks away.