The Najee Harris Experiment Was a Costly Delusion

Let's be clear: this is my opinion, and it is an opinion rooted in the cold, hard reality of the NFL treadmill.

As first reported by NFL Network and the Associated Press, the New York Giants are releasing running back Najee Harris. For a franchise struggling to find a consistent identity in the backfield, cutting ties with the 28-year-old is the only logical move.

The version of Harris the Giants signed late in training camp was a shadow of the workhorse who posted four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with Pittsburgh before joining the Los Angeles Chargers. Hampered by a torn left Achilles tendon, Harris managed just 99 yards over five games this season, averaging a pedestrian 3.2 yards per attempt.

The breaking point arrived in a 34-27 loss to New Orleans that dropped the Giants to 3-2-1. Harris started the game but was a non-factor, recording only two carries for four yards. Coach John Harbaugh and his staff placed Harris in the starting role because second-year back Cam Skattebo had fumbled in overtime during the previous week's game in Washington. Skattebo later told Sportsnet he felt "punished" by the lack of carries against the Saints.

Now, the Giants face a chaotic rotation for their trip to Houston. As Sportsnet notes, it remains unclear how the team will distribute carries among Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy, and Devin Singletary. By cutting the cord now, the Giants are finally admitting that the gamble on a damaged veteran was a mistake.