Giants RB Gamble: Can Skattebo & Tracy Carry the Load?
Can the New York Giants Fix Their Running Game in 2026?
Why Running the Ball Matters So Much
Imagine you’re playing a video game where you’re the quarterback. Having a strong running game is like having a "cheat code"—it makes everything easier. New Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who played quarterback his whole life, puts it simply:
"Having a run game is the friendliest thing in the world. You want to be able to run the football. Everybody says it, but you’ve got to be able to do it."
For a team developing a young quarterback (Jaxson Dart), a reliable ground game isn’t just nice—it’s essential.
The Problem: Last Year’s Numbers Tell the Story
The Giants’ running game in 2025 was… okay on paper, but not good enough when you look closer.
Overall Team Stats (Including QB Runs)
| Stat | Rank | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Yards per carry | 18th | 4.3 |
| Rushing success rate | 25th | — |
| Explosive run rate | 16th | — |
Running Backs Only (Removing QB Jaxson Dart’s 487 yards/9 TDs)
| Stat | Rank | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Yards per carry | 25th | 4.0 |
| Rushing success rate | 27th | — |
| Explosive run rate | 20th | — |
KEY TAKEAWAY: The quarterbacks were masking how much the actual running backs struggled. Dart’s scrambling made the offense look better on the ground than it really was.
What the Giants Did to Fix It
1. Built a Better Wall (Offensive Line)
- Drafted Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick (a big, strong guard)
- Signed Patrick Ricard—a Pro Bowl fullback who’s basically an extra offensive lineman who can also catch passes
2. Kept Their Running Back Trio
Instead of chasing big names, they stuck with three guys who already know the system:
| Player | 2025 Highlights | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Cam Skattebo | 487 yards, 5 TDs in 8 games before ankle injury | Power runner, fan favorite |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Converted from WR in college; "super smooth" per Nagy | Speed/versatility, two-minute drill specialist |
| Devin Singletary | Veteran stability; "you know exactly what he’s getting" | Reliable third-down back |
Bonus: Undrafted speedster Dante "Turbo" Miller is turning heads in camp too.
3. Brought in Run-Game Experts
- John Harbaugh (Head Coach) — built dominant run games in Baltimore
- Matt Nagy (Offensive Coordinator) — former QB who values the run
- Greg Roman (Senior Offensive Assistant) — the run-game guru behind Baltimore’s and San Francisco’s best rushing attacks
The Missing Ingredient: Explosiveness
Here’s the real concern: The Giants lacked "home run" speed.
Explosive Runs (12+ yards) in 2025
- Giants RBs: 24 total (8.3% rate) — 18th in NFL
- Baltimore Ravens (Harbaugh’s old team): 39 total (12.4% rate) — 1st in NFL
- With just Skattebo (Weeks 2–7): 7 explosive runs (6.9% rate) — 21st in NFL
Yards After Contact (Breaking Tackles)
- Giants RBs: 2.68 yards — 30th (second-to-last) in NFL
- Even with healthy Skattebo: 2.74 yards — 24th in NFL
- Skattebo alone: 3.09 yards — 19th among qualified RBs
WHAT THEY WANTED: The Giants were interested in players with explosiveness:
- Kenneth Walker III — 10% explosive run rate (2nd among RBs with 200+ carries), signed with Chiefs
- Jeremiyah Love — 49 runs of 10+ yards in college (3rd in FBS), drafted #3 by Cardinals
WHAT THEY DECIDED: They only wanted to add someone who brought something their current room doesn’t have—and they didn’t find that player at the right price.
Reasons for Optimism: Why 2026 Could Be Different
1. Health & Experience
- Skattebo is fully healthy after that gruesome ankle injury
- Tracy gets a second year at running back (he was a WR in college!)
- Both are "improving every day" per Nagy
2. Better Blocking Up Front
- Mauigoa adds youth and power at guard
- Ricard adds a sixth blocker on key downs
- A year of continuity for the whole line
3. A Scheme Built for the Run
- Greg Roman’s "gap scheme" offense creates holes by design, not luck
- Harbaugh/Nagy/Roman = three coaches who live for the run game
- They’re still "figuring out what we want to be" halfway through camp
4. Complementary Skill Sets
| Back | Strength |
|---|---|
| Skattebo | Power, contact balance, short-yardage |
| Tracy | Speed, elusiveness, receiving |
| Singletary | Vision, pass protection, veteran savvy |
| Miller | Pure home-run speed |
Step-by-Step: How the Giants Can Improve
- Establish the line of scrimmage — Mauigoa + Ricard + improved line play
- Run Roman’s gap schemes — Create defined lanes instead of hoping for cutback lanes
- Rotate backs by situation — Skattebo early, Tracy on passing downs, Miller for spark
- Use Dart as a bonus runner, not the main runner — Designed QB runs keep defenses honest
- Generate more explosive plays — Better blocking + Tracy/Miller speed = more 20+ yard runs
Summary
The Giants know they must run the ball better to help their young quarterback. Last year’s running backs struggled with efficiency (27th), explosiveness (18th), and breaking tackles (30th)—even when healthy.
But the pieces are in place for a turnaround:
- Elite run-game coaching trio (Harbaugh/Nagy/Roman)
- Major offensive line upgrades (Mauigoa, Ricard)
- A versatile, experienced backfield trio + speed option
- A scheme designed to manufacture yards, not just hope for them
The question isn’t "do they have talent?" — it’s "can the new scheme unlock it?" Training camp says yes. September will tell the real story.
FAQ
Why does the running game matter so much for a young quarterback?
A: It’s like training wheels on a bike. A good run game forces defenses to put extra players near the line of scrimmage, which opens up easier passing windows. It also controls the clock, keeps the defense fresh, and lets the QB play from ahead instead of always chasing points.
Was Jaxson Dart actually good at running, or did he just scramble a lot?
A: Both! He had 487 yards and 9 touchdowns—legitimate weapon numbers. But the Giants can’t rely on their franchise QB taking 10+ hits per game. The running backs need to carry the load so Dart’s runs stay a "bonus," not the plan.
Who is Greg Roman and why does he matter?
A: Think of him as the "mad scientist of the run game." He designed the offenses that made Lamar Jackson an MVP in Baltimore and helped the 49ers dominate on the ground. His schemes create running lanes through angles, motion, and misdirection—not just "run hard and hope."
Why didn’t they sign Kenneth Walker III or draft Jeremiyah Love?
A: They looked at both because both have elite explosiveness (the trait the Giants lack most). But Walker got a big deal from Kansas City, and Love was drafted two picks before the Giants chose. The front office decided their current group—if the scheme works—has enough upside without overpaying.
How will they split carries between three (or four) running backs?
A: By situation, not just rotation:
- Early downs/short yardage → Skattebo
- Passing downs/two-minute drill → Tracy
- Third down/pass protection → Singletary
- Change-of-pace/spark → Miller
This keeps everyone fresh and plays to each guy’s strengths.