Giants Sign Former Pro Bowl RB Najee Harris

The New York Giants on Aug. 18 announced the signing of running back Najee Harris.

“He’s an experienced back; I think anybody that’s watched him play knows what type of a back he is,” Giants head coach John Harbaugh said at a press conference after practice on Tuesday.

“He’s a downhill runner, physical runner. Played against him a lot, have a good feel for who he is as a player. Everybody that’s been around him, my brother [Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh], [senior offensive assistant Greg Roman], [former Steelers head coach] Mike Tomlin, love him as a teammate. So, excited for the possibilities.”

Harris was drafted by the Steelers out of Alabama with the 24th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his four seasons with Pittsburgh, but his rookie season was his best: he carried the ball 307 times for 1,200 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns; he caught 74 passes for 467 yards and 3 scores. He was selected to his first and only career Pro Bowl that season.

The Steelers refused the fifth-year option on his contract, and he signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in 2025. He was intended to split carries with rookie Omarion Hampton and young rising star Kimani Vidal, but he tore his Achilles tendon three weeks into the season. He finished last season with just 15 carries for 61 yards and 3 catches for 25 yards.

Harris now steps into a crowded Giants running back room, but he brings aspects of his game that the room could use. Second-year pro Cam Skattebo is the team’s de facto lead back, and he and Harris are both hard-nosed, downhill runners who can also catch the ball out of the backfield.

Skattebo is still recovering from a devastating ankle injury he suffered last year, and Harris provides some continuity in the meantime, and in case Skattebo is ever injured this year.

Third-year pro Tyrone Tracy Jr. is the lightning to Skattebo’s thunder. But Tracy is undersized at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds. He can also be a liability in pass protection: Tracy infamously whiffed on a blitz pickup in the Giants’ preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings last week.

At 6’1 and 242 pounds, Harris brings a combination of size and experience missing from Tracy’s game. Veteran Devin Singletary has two more years of experience, but also lacks size at 5-foot-7 and 203 pounds. The Giants also have 2023 fifth-round pick Eric Gray and 2026 undrafted free agent Damon Bankston on the roster.

“I think they understand; I haven’t talked to them about it,” Harbaugh said when asked about how Skattebo and Tracy reacted to the signing. “If there’s any questions, we’ll talk to them, but everybody understands. I mean, football’s competitive, the NFL is competitive, and we’re building the strongest team we can, and he’s a really good football player.”

It isn’t as though Harbaugh is not willing to make room. Harbaugh’s Ravens regularly featured three or four running backs, all of whom were contributors to the offense, in addition to fullback Patrick Ricard, who is now with the Giants.

Harris said he felt “great” being out on the field Tuesday, though he was not yet in football shape. He said that he has a lot to prove this year.

“I most definitely go every year with a chip on my shoulder, but more so much this year,” he said. “I have a lot to prove. Somebody who’s coming back from a torn Achilles, really everything that I did in the past is in the past. Everything I do now is really what matters. I know there’s going to be a lot of questions of how I’ll come back looking, and I’m ready to answer all those.”

Harris downplayed questions about the depth chart. He called all his fellow ball-carriers “really good players” and said they would all elevate each other’s game. He added that he thinks he fits in with Harbaugh’s offense.

“I want opportunity,” he said. “And I think this is a good opportunity here. I think the style of play that they’re heading towards is the style of play that aligns with me. Harbaugh coming from the AFC North, me playing against him a lot of times, I know the type of style of football he wants. And I think that we align with each other with what type of football we want to play.”