Retour
The New York Giants have turned their running back room into a weekly guessing game, and fans are struggling to understand what the team wants from the position. Cam Skattebo has now weighed in after watching Najee Harris go from starting against the New Orleans Saints to being released days later.
His response has only added to the debate over whether the Giants are demanding accountability or making it harder for their backs to find a rhythm.
Skattebo believes the Giants’ decision to release Najee Harris sends a message to the entire locker room.
“Nobody is safe. It’s as simple as that,” Skattebo told reporters, acknowledging that his own position depends on his performance. “If I don’t perform, I know there’s a possibility of me not being here. We came in this week. We continued to work.”
The move came after Skattebo’s role was sharply reduced against New Orleans following four fumbles through the first five weeks. Harris started in his place but managed just two yards on four carries before publicly questioning the team’s running back rotation.
The Giants, who currently rank No. 18 in PFN Offense Impact%20assigns,red%20zone%20and%20third%20downs.) with a 68.4 impact score, released Harris two days later. It leaves Skattebo, Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the backfield ahead of their Week 7 matchup against the Houston Texans.
Some fans questioned whether the coaching staff was giving its running backs a fair chance to succeed.
One commenterwrote, “I just don’t really understand it. They aren’t letting any of the backs get into a real rhythm, and the fact that they bench Cam, started Najee and then cut him just looks bad. Like what’s the real plan here? If there is one…fear based organizations haven’t worked for a while now.”
Another fan pointed to the role of the offensive line and play-calling in determining a running back’s production, arguing, “I don’t understand this at all. So much of a running backs performance is heavily dependent on the offensive line and offensive play calling. Why are we acting like running backs have some sort of autonomy outside of their athleticism to ‘perform better’”
The debate also extended to whether Harris received enough opportunities before his release.
One fanargued, “Whole time Harris was the better back just never got the ball that much f*** is 9 carries he’ll have 9 carries 58 years Skattebo a have 20 carries 59 years it’s deeper than that.”
Skattebo, meanwhile, accepted responsibility for his own benching, saying he had “got taught a lesson” and needed to correct his mistakes in practice and protect the ball.
Still, another viewer questioned the potential effect of the team’s approach, writing, “not sure you want your players feeling like they could lose everything if they make a mistake week to week.”
Others viewed the situation as a chance for coach John Harbaugh to demand better discipline.
One fan defended the decision,posting, “Harbaugh is just humbling SKAT. He’ll shine in the coming weeks. No room for arrogance or cockiness. Humble, confident, and hard working players is what the Ravens were about.”
Harris also drew criticism for his performance and public comments after the Saints game. One commenter wrote, “Well, Najee was putting out garbage on the field, and then complaining to the media sealed his fate. As long as you produce, you’ll be safe even if you got an attitude issue. Production overrides anything.”
Not everyone saw the release as a warning to the roster.
One fan dismissed its significance, writing, “Hardly a message. Harris is nothing more than a practice squad player at this point.”
Another shared that view, commenting, “A message to everyone….? Najee Harris is beyond washed lol. Guys that are back of the roster fliers get cut every week.”
Skattebo said the remaining running backs had met with the offensive line to get on the same page.
“We know where we’re at. We know what we have,” he said. “If we put that to display, we’re gonna be just fine.”
How the group performs against Houston could help determine whether the Giants’ latest changes produce better results.