Harbaugh on Giants RB Rotation: 'Our Run Game Hasn't Earned That Yet'

Oct 20

4 min read

Updated: 12 minutes ago

Published Oct 20, 2026, 10:12 AM ET | By Vincent Rapisardi

The Giants RB rotation will not shrink until one of the backs earns a bigger share, John Harbaugh said Monday. Asked about frustration from Najee Harris over a four-man approach that left no one with a steady workload, the coach put the burden on the running backs and on a run game he called a "big time work in progress."

"Our run game hasn't earned that yet. ... Make the most of those opportunities and you are sure to get more opportunities. Do something," Harbaugh said of a lead-back role, in comments shared by Big Blue Film Room on X. The Giants' backs ran 14 times for 34 yards in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Harris and Devin Singletary had four carries each, Tyrone Tracy Jr. had six and Cam Skattebo had none after leading the team in carries through five weeks, according to Pro Football Talk. Harris said afterward it is "hard to get into a rhythm" while rotating in and out.

Why Harbaugh Won't Name a Giants Lead Back Yet

Harbaugh did not dismiss the complaint. "Do understand it. Respect it. Also understand that that's earned," he said, according to the team's press conference transcript. He said he would love to be in "a Derrick Henry circumstance or a Saquon Barkley circumstance," backs whose production made them every-down players.

His message to the room was blunt. "My advice is go out there and take the job when you get the ball. Take the job," Harbaugh said, adding that each back is "advocating for themself to be that guy."

Harbaugh also noted that the Giants tried a more traditional split "a couple weeks ago," and the running game "was no different than it was this last game."

The Giants RB Rotation Reflects a Bigger Problem

Harbaugh did not pin the struggles on the backs alone. "We're not blocking well enough. We're not running well enough. We're not putting up enough yards," he said, calling the results "disappointing."

The plan has shifted week to week. ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported before the Saints game that Harris would take on a larger role, as we covered in Giants RB Rotation Change Expected: Bigger Role for Najee Harris. Skattebo, the early-season leader in carries, said he "got punished" for his fumble in the Week 5 tie with Washington.

Cam Skattebo on receiving zero carries this week: "I got punished for what I did [from last week]. I understand it." … (Via @charlottecrrll) — Big Blue Film Room (@BigBlueFilmRoom) on X, October 18, 2026

Sunday's numbers carry a caveat. The Giants trailed 34-10 in the fourth quarter and went to a no-huddle attack, which, Harbaugh said in his postgame press conference, is "where you start using your third down guys." He added that Skattebo's zero carries were "not by design."

What Comes Next for Najee Harris and Cam Skattebo

Raanan has since said to expect Skattebo "to be more in the mix" against the Texans, as we detailed in Cam Skattebo Expected to Get Bigger Giants Role vs Texans.

Jordan Raanan on the Cam Skattebo situation: "Expect Skattebo to be more in the mix next week vs Texans." Skattebo did not have a carry on Sunday and logged just 6 total snaps. — Big Blue Film Room (@BigBlueFilmRoom) on X, October 19, 2026

The quarterback call could also reshape the ground game. Harbaugh said a McCarthy start would open up read plays the Giants would not run with Jameis Winston, the scheme question we examined in JJ McCarthy Could Help Giants 'Bring Back' Offense Built for Dart.

Harbaugh did not say how carries will be divided or name a starter at running back. The Giants visit Houston at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

Our Take: The Giants RB Rotation Needs a Lead Back

I understand Harbaugh's message, and I like the accountability. But I think he has told us what he really wants: a bell-cow back in the Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley mold.

The Giants don't have that yet, so the next best option is to lean on the best one they do have. To me that's Cam Skattebo, who played at least 59% of the snaps in each of the first five games, per Pro Football Reference.

The four-way split in Week 6 produced 14 carries for 34 yards. Rotations rarely build rhythm, and that was the worst rushing day of the season.

Whether it's Skattebo now or a trade, I expect Harbaugh to have a true lead back by next season.

Harbaugh's Ravens teams ran the ball well with a clear lead back. That's the model I expect the Giants to chase.

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