Giants Land Najee Harris on 1-Year Deal
Giants Sign Running Back Najee Harris: What You Need to Know
Why This Signing Happened
The New York Giants needed help at running back after some bad luck. Here is the simple version of what went down:
- Dante Miller got hurt. He was a running back on the team. He injured his groin in the first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Giants had to let him go with an "injury designation," which means he is hurt and cannot play right now.
- They needed a replacement. With Miller out, the Giants wanted an experienced player who could step in and help.
- They had their eye on Najee Harris for a while. The team waited about a month for Harris to get healthy enough to come in for a workout. The visit was actually planned before Miller got hurt.
Who Is Najee Harris?
Think of Najee Harris as a proven, veteran running back with a strong track record. Here are the highlights:
- Age: 28 years old.
- College: University of Alabama.
- Drafted: 1st round, 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
- Rookie Year: Made the Pro Bowl (the all-star game) and ran for over 1,000 yards.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2021–2024): Ran for over 1,000 yards in every single season (four years straight). That is very rare and very impressive.
- Last Year (LA Chargers): Played only 3 games before tearing his Achilles tendon (the big tendon at the back of your ankle). He ran for 61 yards on 15 carries before the injury.
- Connection to Coach: Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh knows Harris well. Harbaugh coached the Baltimore Ravens for 18 years. Harris played for the Steelers. Both teams are in the AFC North division, so they played each other twice a year. Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, was Harris’s coach last year at the Chargers.
The Current Running Back Situation
The Giants’ running back room is now crowded. Harris joins a group of young players and other veterans:
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Young starter, had a good rookie year. |
| Cam Skattebo | Rookie draft pick, highly thought of. |
| Devin Singletary | Veteran, steady player. |
| Eric Gray | Young backup. |
| Damon Bankston | Undrafted rookie, long shot to make the team. |
| Najee Harris (NEW) | Veteran star, coming off major injury. |
Important Point: The Giants are also planning to release veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. This is a separate move to clear roster space or change the receiver room.
What Coach Harbaugh Said
Coach John Harbaugh spoke to reporters after Harris’s workout on Monday. He was honest but optimistic:
- "He looked good in the workout." Harris passed the eye test.
- "He’s not back 100%. He’s not in football shape yet." This is crucial. Coming back from a torn Achilles takes a long time. Harris needs weeks to get his legs under him.
- "It’ll be a process." Don’t expect him to play right away.
- "He’s a decorated vet… based on the workout, I would say we feel like he’s got a shot." The team likes his experience and pedigree.
What Happens Next? (Numbered Steps)
- Sign the Contract: Harris officially signs his one-year deal.
- Ramp Up Slowly: He will practice on the side, do conditioning, and slowly join team drills over several weeks.
- Compete for Snaps: Once healthy, he fights for playing time against Tracy Jr., Skattebo, and Singletary.
- Preseason Games: He might play in the remaining preseason games to knock off rust.
- Week 1 Roster: The team decides his role for the regular season opener.
CALLOUT: KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Low Risk, High Reward: A one-year deal for a former 1,000-yard rusher costs little money and carries little risk.
- Injury Recovery is the Big Question: A torn Achilles is one of the hardest injuries for a running back to come back from. Explosiveness is often the last thing to return.
- Depth Chart Shake-Up: This pushes the young guys (Tracy, Skattebo) to earn their spots every day.
- Harbaugh Trust: John Harbaugh signing a player he knows from the division suggests he trusts the person and the work ethic, not just the tape.
Summary
The New York Giants signed Najee Harris, a 28-year-old running back who ran for 1,000+ yards four years in a row for the Steelers. He is coming off a torn Achilles tendon that limited him to 3 games last year. Coach John Harbaugh knows him well from their AFC North battles. Harris is not ready to play today—he needs weeks to get into "football shape." He joins a crowded backfield led by Tyrone Tracy Jr. and rookie Cam Skattebo. This is a low-cost, high-upside gamble by the Giants to add veteran insurance and competition.
FAQ
Q: Is Najee Harris going to start right away?
A: Almost certainly not. Coach Harbaugh explicitly said he is "not in football shape yet" and it will be "a process." He needs weeks of practice first.
Q: Why did the Giants sign him if he is injured?
A: They signed him for after he heals. They liked what he did in the workout, they know his work ethic, and a one-year deal is cheap. If he returns to form, it’s a steal. If not, they cut him with minimal cost.
Q: What does this mean for Tyrone Tracy Jr.?
A: It adds serious competition. Tracy is still the presumed starter, but Harris (if healthy) has been a feature back in this league. Tracy will have to hold him off.
Q: What is a "torn Achilles" and why is it bad for a running back?
A: The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel. It lets you push off, jump, and sprint. A tear requires surgery and 9–12+ months of rehab. For a running back who needs sudden bursts of speed and cutting ability, it is historically a very difficult injury to fully recover from.
Q: Why are they releasing JuJu Smith-Schuster?
A: The article doesn’t give the specific reason, but it usually means the team wants to go younger at wide receiver, save salary cap money, or they didn’t like his fit in the offense. It happened at the same time as the Harris signing, likely to make room on the 90-man roster.