Giants Land Najee Harris: One-Year Gamble to Fix Run Game
Giants Sign Running Back Najee Harris: What You Need to Know
What Happened?
The New York Giants have agreed to sign free agent running back Najee Harris to a one-year contract. Here are the key details:
- Harris worked out for the team on Monday, August 17, 2026.
- Head Coach John Harbaugh liked what he saw, even though Harris is coming back from a torn Achilles tendon.
- The deal was finalized after the workout, according to ESPN and NFL Network sources.
Important: A free agent is a player who is not under contract with any team and can sign with anyone. A one-year deal means the contract lasts for the 2026 season only.
Who Is Najee Harris?
Najee Harris is a 28-year-old running back with a strong NFL resume:
- Drafted: 1st round (24th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama.
- Rookie Year: Made the Pro Bowl (the NFL’s all-star game) and rushed for over 1,000 yards.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2021–2024): Rushed for 1,000+ yards in each of his four seasons.
- Los Angeles Chargers (2025): Played only 3 games before tearing his Achilles. He gained 61 yards on 15 carries before the injury.
- Connection to Coach Harbaugh: John Harbaugh coached the Baltimore Ravens for 18 years and faced Harris twice a year when he played for the Steelers (both teams are in the AFC North division). John’s brother, Jim Harbaugh, coached Harris last year with the Chargers.
Why Did the Giants Sign Him?
The Giants needed help at running back after a few setbacks:
- Dante Miller was waived with an injury designation after hurting his groin in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings. He is expected to miss significant time.
- The team also plans to release veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to clear roster space.
- Harris brings proven production, experience, and familiarity with Coach Harbaugh.
Coach Harbaugh explained the thinking:
"He’s a decorated vet. And with those guys, generally, you just have to kind of see where they’re at when you get them. And sometimes it works out great. Sometimes it’s just OK, and other times it doesn’t work out. But based on the workout, I would say we feel like he’s got a shot."
What Does the Running Back Room Look Like Now?
Harris joins a crowded backfield. Here’s the current depth chart (order based on early camp reports):
- Cam Skattebo (rookie)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. (2nd-year player)
- Devin Singletary (veteran)
- Eric Gray (3rd-year player)
- Damon Bankston (undrafted rookie)
- Najee Harris (newly signed veteran)
Important: The depth chart is the team’s ranking of players at each position. It can change daily based on performance, health, and coaching decisions.
What’s Next for Harris?
It will not be an immediate plug-and-play situation:
- Not 100% yet: Harbaugh said Harris is "not back 100%" and "not in football shape yet."
- Process: It’s expected to take several weeks for Harris to get into game shape.
- Opportunity: He will have a chance to earn playing time as he gets healthier.
The Giants actually planned this workout before Miller’s injury—they had been eyeing Harris for about a month and waited until he was healthy enough to test.
Summary
- The Giants signed Najee Harris (28) to a one-year deal after a successful workout.
- Harris is a former Pro Bowler with four straight 1,000-yard seasons for the Steelers.
- He’s returning from a torn Achilles that limited him to 3 games last year with the Chargers.
- The move comes after Dante Miller went down with a groin injury and JuJu Smith-Schuster is being released.
- Harris will need several weeks to reach football shape but adds a proven, experienced option to a young backfield.
FAQ
Q: What is a "free agent" in the NFL?
A: A free agent is a player whose contract has expired (or was cut) and is free to sign with any team. Harris was a free agent after the Chargers released him.
Q: What does "waived with an injury designation" mean?
A: When a team cuts an injured player, they often use this designation. If the player clears waivers (no other team claims him), he reverts to the original team’s injured reserve list. The Giants did this with Dante Miller.
Q: Who is John Harbaugh?
A: He is the Giants’ head coach, hired in 2026. Before that, he spent 18 seasons as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, winning a Super Bowl in 2012.
Q: What is the "AFC North"?
A: It’s one of the NFL’s eight divisions. It includes the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals. Harbaugh coached the Ravens and Harris played for the Steelers, so they faced each other twice a year for four years.
Q: Will Harris start right away?
A: Unlikely. Coach Harbaugh said he’s not in football shape yet and it will be a process. The Giants have several younger backs (Skattebo, Tracy Jr.) ahead of him on the depth chart for now.