The New York Giants have added a familiar face to a suddenly crowded backfield. They’ve signed free-agent running back Najee Harris to a one-year contract.
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He spent the first four years of his career there. Harris quickly established himself as one of the league’s most durable backs. He topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons in Pittsburgh, becoming just the 14th player in NFL history to do so in each of his first four years, and earned a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie.
When his fifth-year option wasn’t picked up, Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in March 2025. That stint was cut short almost immediately. After dealing with an eye injury in the offseason, he tore his Achilles tendon just three games into the season, ending his year and, ultimately, his time in Los Angeles.
New York finished 2025 with a 4-13 record, and its backfield already includes Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. The addition of Harris may be a sign that the Giants are not fully confident in that group’s depth heading into the season.
The Giants had been tracking Harris for weeks, waiting until he was further along in his recovery before bringing him in for a workout. The move follows earlier offseason interest in adding a running back through free agency or the draft. They quietly pursued Kenneth Walker III and draft prospect Jeremiyah Love.
The Giants’ style of play aligns with Harris’s downhill running approach. He will be able to put the pressure on defenses, which can then open things up for the passing game. It also points to the coaching staff’s familiarity with him, having faced him in the AFC North.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Giants’ running game looks like next season. They now have a backfield with some of the biggest bruisers in the league. If they can establish a strong run game, it would go a long way in helping the offense become a productive unit.
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