Giants' Cutthroat Najee Harris Move is Surprisingly Refreshing

The New York Giants' decision to cut running back Najee Harris after the team's Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints was certainly surprising.

Harris had four carries for just two years in the defeat, but it wasn't his lack of production that forced John Harbaugh's hand; it was Harris' comments after the fact.

The veteran halfback made it clear that he was not thrilled with his role following the loss, and Harbaugh made it clear that that type of reaction won't be tolerated.

The Giants moved swiftly and released Harris just two months after signing him with the intention to be a significant part of the offense.

With Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy both in the doghouse, New York's decision may have seemed a bit over the top, but it was actually refreshing.

It was obvious the move came from Harbaugh; not Joe Schoen. Why? Because that type of behavior was regularly tolerated through Schoen's first four seasons a general manager with Brian Daboll serving as head coach.

Last year, for example, Abdul Carter was routinely tardy and was falling asleep in team meetings, and the it largely went unchecked.

The Giants' locker room was largely unprofessional under Daboll. There didn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to anything. Not to pile on Daboll, who took his firing like a man and moved on, but it's the truth.

Harbaugh, on the other hand, has changed the standard, and it's exactly what New York needed moving forward.

Now, to be fair, it's not like Harris was a major contributor. Harbaugh obviously wouldn't have cut Carter. But you can bet that he would have sent a much stronger message.

Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has also made it abundantly clear that laziness or anything that can even be construed as a half-hearted effort will not be accepted with this Giants squad.

It's great to see, and it's a big reason why there is so much hope and optimism surrounding the team moving forward.

Heck, Skattebo's benching last Sunday was also evidence of it. The second-year halfback fumbled four times in his first five games of 2026 and cost the Giants a win against the Washington Commanders because of it the week prior. The result? No carries against the Saints. We've also seen Tracy essentially get benched this season, as well.

It's a new era of Big Blue football, and Harbaugh is ensuring that everyone knows he means business. Especially within the confines of his own locker room.