Giants release running back who questioned team's plan at the position
Giants release running back who questioned team's plan at the position
Jack McKessy, USA TODAYTue, October 20, 2026 at 4:06 PM UTC
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Najee Harris' comments on the Giants' plan at running back got him in hot water. Two days after he made them, the Giants released Harris.
The New York Giants era of Najee Harris' career is over after just five games.
According to multiple reports, Big Blue is releasing the veteran running back two days after Harris made comments questioning the team's coaching decisions in a post-game interview.
After the Giants' Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 18, Harris voiced his displeasure with New York's decision to rotate in four running backs during the game. The sixth-year tailback finished the game with 11 snaps – third-most by a Giants running back in Week 6 – and four carries, which were tied for second-most in the game.
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"I don't think nobody can [get into a rhythm]. And this is not to anything that's the coaching staff or anything. This is just personal, running backs, quarterbacks. It's hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays," Harris said, per the New York Daily News.
"If you're getting a play here and get taken out four series, there's nothing you can do. I don't know. I've never been through this before."
Harris tallied two yards on his four carries against the Saints. Those numbers marked career lows for total yards in one game and yards per carry (0.5) over his six seasons in the NFL.
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John Harbaugh responds to Najee Harris' comments
Giants head coach John Harbaugh responded to Harris' comments during a press conference on Monday, Oct. 19. He stated that New York's running backs room hasn't produced at a high level; none of the players have earned a spot as the lead back for the Giants through six weeks, Harbaugh said.
"I've had the same conversation with all the running backs, the receivers, it's no different than any position, but do the most you can with the opportunities you get. Make the most of those opportunities and you're sure to get more opportunities," Harbaugh said.
"So, I get it that you want to get out there and you want to get a rhythm, but that rhythm is earned too and it just hasn't happened yet."
Najee Harris stats 2026
Harris will need to find a new team if he hopes to continue playing in 2026. Here's how his Giants tenure looked by the numbers:
Games (starts): 5 (1)
Rush attempts: 31
Rush yards: 99
Yards per attempt: 3.2
Touchdowns: 0
Receiving stats: One catch on one target for five yards
Harris had the second-most rush attempts, yards and yards per attempt among Giants running backs through Week 6. He trailed second-year RB Cam Skattebo in each statistic despite Skattebo's zero-touch game against the Saints.
Giants RB depth chart
With Harris out of the rotation, here's how the Giants' running backs room stacks up going forward:
Cam Skattebo
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Devin Singletary
New York also has 2025 seventh-rounder Phil Mafah on its practice squad after he signed with the team in September.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giants release running back who questioned team's plan at the position
Source: “AOL Sports”
