Giants Land Najee Harris: 1-Year Deal Shakes Up Backfield
Giants Sign Former Pro Bowl Running Back Najee Harris: What You Need to Know
The Big News in Simple Terms
Imagine your favorite sports team just added a really good player who used to be one of the best at his position. That’s exactly what happened with the New York Giants! They signed Najee Harris — a running back who has run for over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons — to a one-year contract.
Important Point: This is a "low risk, high reward" move. The Giants don’t have to pay him a ton of money, but if he’s healthy, he could be a huge help.
Why Did the Giants Sign Him?
1. They Needed Help at Running Back
The Giants’ running back room took a hit when Dante Miller hurt his groin in the first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. Miller was waived with an injury designation, meaning he’ll miss significant time.
2. They’ve Been Watching Harris for a While
- The Giants didn’t just pick him up randomly
- They waited a month for his Achilles to heal enough to work out
- The workout was actually scheduled before Miller got hurt
3. Coach John Harbaugh Knows Him Well
- Harbaugh coached the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons
- Harris played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Ravens’ division rival)
- Harbaugh’s brother, Jim Harbaugh, coached Harris last year with the Chargers
- John said: "The hair on the back of my neck stood up when I saw him… he’s a big dude."
Who Is Najee Harris? (The ELI5 Version)
| Fact | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 1st Round Pick (2021) | Drafted 24th overall out of Alabama — teams believed in him |
| Pro Bowl Rookie | One of the best first-year players in the league |
| 4 Straight 1,000+ Yard Seasons | Extremely consistent and durable (until the injury) |
| Only 28 Years Old | Still in his prime for a running back |
| Tore Achilles in 2025 | Played just 3 games for the Chargers last year (61 yards on 15 carries) |
The Current Giants Running Back Room
Now that Harris is here, here’s who he’s competing with:
- Cam Skattebo — Rookie, currently at the top of the depth chart
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. — Second-year player, also at the top
- Devin Singletary — Veteran with lots of NFL experience
- Eric Gray — Third-year backup
- Damon Bankston — Undrafted rookie
- Najee Harris — The new guy, working his way back from injury
Important Point: Harris isn’t guaranteed a starting spot. He’ll have to earn playing time against this group.
What Happens Next? (Step by Step)
- Harris gets into football shape — Coach Harbaugh said: "He’s not back 100%. He’s not in football shape yet. So… it’ll be a process."
- Several weeks of practice — Expect a gradual ramp-up
- Preseason games — Chance to show he can still play at NFL speed
- Roster decisions — Final 53-man roster cuts happen before Week 1
- Regular season — If he makes the team, he’ll compete for carries
Another Move: JuJu Smith-Schuster Is Out
At the same time, the Giants are planning to release wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
- Veteran slot receiver
- Former Pro Bowler with Steelers
- Didn’t quite fit the new offense
- Creates space for younger receivers
Summary: The Bottom Line
- Giants add proven talent — Harris has been one of the league’s most productive RBs when healthy
- Low financial risk — One-year deal, minimal commitment
- Familiarity with coaches — Both Harbaugh brothers know him well
- Coming off major injury — Torn Achilles is tough for running backs
- Timeline unclear — Several weeks before he’s game-ready
- Competition is open — Nothing handed to him; must beat out Skattebo, Tracy, Singletary
Think of it like this: The Giants found a slightly used Ferrari (Harris) with a dent in the fender (Achilles injury) for a bargain price. If the engine still runs, they got a steal. If not, they didn’t lose much.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
How good was Najee Harris before the injury?
Really good. He rushed for 1,000+ yards in each of his first four NFL seasons (2021–2024) with the Steelers. Only a handful of running backs in history have started their careers with four straight 1,000-yard seasons. He also made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
Is a torn Achilles a career-ender for running backs?
Not necessarily, but it’s serious. Several RBs have come back from it (like Cam Akers, J.K. Dobbins), but they often lose a step. At 28, Harris is at the age where recovery gets harder. The Giants are betting on his work ethic and their medical staff.
Will he start Week 1?
Probably not. Coach Harbaugh was clear: Harris isn’t in football shape yet. Expect Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo to handle the early-down work, with Devin Singletary as the veteran change-of-pace guy. Harris will work in gradually.
Why cut Dante Miller but keep Eric Gray and Damon Bankston?
Miller’s groin injury means he’d miss weeks — the Giants can’t wait. Gray and Bankston are healthy and can contribute on special teams immediately. Harris provides the veteran insurance Miller would’ve been.
Does this mean the Giants are "all in" on winning now?
Not exactly. It’s a smart, low-cost veterans addition. They’re not trading draft picks or guaranteeing big money. It’s a "prove it" deal — if Harris shows he’s still got it, great. If not, they move on with minimal cost.
Article based on ESPN reporting by Jordan Raanan (August 18, 2026)