The New York Giants have expanded their backfield rotation by securing former Steelers and Chargers ball-carrier Najee Harris on a one-year agreement.
In a corresponding roster move to accommodate the experienced runner, the franchise parted ways with veteran wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Drafted in the first round by Pittsburgh in 2021, Harris played his initial four NFL seasons with the Steelers, accumulating 4,373 yards on the ground and 28 scores over 1,112 carries. After Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year rookie option, he reached a deal with the Chargers in March 2025.
“He brings a wealth of experience to our backfield,” remarked head coach John Harbaugh following Tuesday’s acquisition. “His film speaks for itself; he’s a physical, north-south runner. Having faced him numerous times, I know exactly what he brings to the table. Everyone who has coached or played alongside him—including my brother, Greg Roman, and Mike Tomlin—speaks incredibly highly of his character. I am eager to see how we can utilize him.”
An eye issue sidelined Harris for a large portion of training camp, keeping him on the PUP list until just prior to the season opener. He initially shared snaps with rookie Omarion Hampton before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles in the Chargers’ Week 3 victory against the Broncos.
His arrival in New York injects him into an already dense depth chart, setting up an intriguing battle for snaps in the coming weeks.
“My goal is simply to get a chance to compete,” Harris expressed following his initial practice session with New York. “This feels like the perfect spot for me. The offensive direction they are establishing fits my skillset perfectly. With Harbaugh’s background in the AFC North, having competed against his teams so often, I understand his offensive philosophy. Our visions of physical football are completely in sync. Coming here is a great chance, and I am ready to jump in and contribute however possible.”
Congesting an Already Packed Running Back Room
Prior to this signing, the Giants appeared set on using 2025 fourth-round selection Cam Skattebo as their primary ball-carrier. However, Skattebo is recovering from a severe leg injury involving a dislocated ankle, a torn deltoid ligament, and a compound fracture of his tibia. Following surgical repair, he devoted his offseason to rehabilitation and has participated fully in training camp workouts.
Plans called for Skattebo to share touches with Tyrone Tracy, a 2024 fifth-round pick who topped the team’s rushing attempts over the past two campaigns. Tracy previously rotated with Devin Singletary in 2024, shared the load with Skattebo early in the subsequent season, and returned to a tandem with Singletary after Skattebo went down.
With Singletary still in the mix, New York’s opening exhibition matchup featured a heavy rotation of all three rushers whenever quarterback Jaxson Dart was orchestrating the offense.
Data from Pro Football Focus showed that across the first-team unit’s 16 plays, Tracy logged seven snaps, Skattebo registered five, and Singletary took four, with fullback Patrick Ricard also seeing five snaps of action. (Dart sat out two plays for a concussion evaluation during his 14-snap outing.)
Integrating Harris into this group disrupts the existing hierarchy. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds, he projects as a traditional early-down workhorse; however, his reliable pass-blocking history suggests he could also challenge for passing-down duties.
Furthermore, Harbaugh has historically shown a preference for heavier runners. During his tenure leading the Ravens, bulkier players such as Derrick Henry, Gus Edwards, Mark Ingram II, Alex Collins, Le’Ron McClain, Terrence West, and Willis McGahee handled the lion’s share of the backfield touches. Though slighter backs like Ray Rice and Justin Forsett occasionally led the way, the preference lean was clearly toward larger athletes. Harris perfectly matches this physical archetype, whereas Skattebo, Tracy, and Singletary feature much smaller frames.
The Missing Puzzle Piece?
While it is possible New York signed Harris merely to absorb training camp reps, their existing depth makes this explanation improbable. Instead, it suggests a lack of confidence in the current depth chart. Whispers earlier in the spring linked the team to free-agent options like Kenneth Walker III, along with draft interest in Jeremiyah Love. Though Harris may not carry the same pedigree as those targets, his late arrival highlights a perceived gap in the team’s offensive backfield.
This late-stage signing raises questions about whether Tracy or Singletary might find themselves on the roster bubble when final cuts are made. Neither player was drafted or signed during Harbaugh’s current tenure, and keeping four active running backs on the final roster is rare. Tracy offers intriguing upside due to his explosive athletic traits, whereas Singletary remains a reliable, trusted asset in pass protection and the receiving game. Both players could attract trade interest from teams searching for backfield depth before the preseason concludes.
