Giants Cut Najee Harris After Negative Comments About Usage

by Arop KualOctober 21, 2026, 6:04 pm >

The New York Giants season under head coach John Harbaugh hasn’t been the prettiest, but they are still top of the NFC East with a 3-2-1 record. Following a couple of quarterback changes and questionable play calling, some players have voiced their frustration.

The Giants are expected to start their third quarterback of the season, J.J. McCarthy, in Week 7, with a questionable running back rotation. After their Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Najee H arris voiced frustration over his lack of playing time.

“It’s hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays,” Harris said on Sunday. “The first couple runs will be like, ‘OK, how are they playing it?’ And then the next ones will be, ‘OK, this is how you attack it.’ But if you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do. That’s why I’m saying, ‘I don’t know.’ I’ve never been through none of this before.”

Harbaugh would address Harris comments in his Monday press conference.

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“I do understand it, respect it. Also understand that that’s earned. I would love for us to be in that kind of a circumstance, a Derrick Henry circumstance or the Saquon Barkley circumstance … that would be great,” Harbaugh responded.

“Our run game hasn’t earned that yet. None of those guys have. My advice would be, to any player … ‘Do the most you can with the opportunities you get.

“Make the most of those opportunities, and you’re sure to get more opportunities. Do something.’ “I get it that you want to get out there, and you want to get in a rhythm, but that rhythm is earned, too, and it just hasn’t happened yet. Definitely want it to happen. A couple of weeks ago, we went in that direction, and the running game was no different than it was in the last game.

“My advice is, ‘Go out there and take the job when you get the ball. Take the job.’ That would be true, I think good advice, for all of us at all times in every circumstance, and I know he understands that.”

The following day, the Giants announced they would release Najee Harris.

After his benching in Week 6, Cam Skattebo will most likely see his workload increase again after getting no carries against the Saints. This followed a costly fumble in Week 5, when Skattebo fumbled in overtime and the team eventually tied with the Washington Commanders.