John Harbaugh is prepared to adjourn the Giants working back by committee.
He just wants someone — anyone — to step up as the chairperson first.
“I would love for us to be in that kind of a circumstance,” Harbaugh said. “A Derrick Henry circumstance or a Saquon Barkley circumstance, or whatever it might be. That would be great. Our run game hasn’t earned that yet, and none of those guys have.”
Oh, the irony.
The Giants had Barkley for six seasons but basic supervisor Joe Schoen devalued bell-cow working backs and allowed Barkley to signal with the Eagles in a free company dispute over less than $1.5 million per yr. Barkley grew to become the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl champion.
Devin Singletary was signed cheaper and Tyrone Tracy Jr. was drafted in the fifth spherical to substitute Barkley as a tandem in 2024. Then Cam Skattebo was drafted in the fourth spherical in 2025. Harbaugh added Najee Harris this summer time.
That quartet mixed for 14 carries for 34 yards against the NFL’s No. 30 dashing protection in a 34-27 loss to the Saints. The Giants rank No. 22 with 3.8 yards per carry for the season.
“It’s disappointing,” Harbaugh said. “I thought we’d be working the ball higher at this level in time in phrases of consequence and outcome, and we haven’t been ready to do it. But we have to discover it.
Devin Singletary (26) of the New York Giants carries the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. Getty Images
“We’re not blocking well enough. We’re not running well enough. We’re not putting up enough yards. We’re not putting up enough consistency. We’re not efficient in our run game. It’s not for lack of effort. It’s not for lack of trying. We’ve run the ball quite a bit. We’re not doing it at the level we really plan on doing to be the type of football team we want to be. We want to do it much more effectively than we have.”
Skattebo was shocked to see his function slashed so dramatically — from averaging 18 touches per recreation to zero on six snaps against the Saints — as punishment for fumbling 4 occasions in 5 video games. Harris bemoaned that it is onerous for backs to get in a rhythm when touches are cut up 4 methods.
“Understand it. Respect it,” Harbaugh said. “Also understand that that’s earned.”
Tracy scored two touchdowns — one dashing and one receiving — against the Saints.
“My advice would be … do the most you can with the opportunities you get and you’re sure to get more opportunities,” Harbaugh said. “Do something. So, I get it that you want to get out there and you want to get a rhythm, but that rhythm is earned, too, and it just hasn’t happened yet. Definitely want it to happen. A couple weeks ago, we kind of went that direction and the running game was no different than it was this last game.”
So, now what? Harbaugh has employed yearlong committees and ridden workhorses (Henry) with the Ravens.
“I know that each of the guys — because I’ve talked to all those guys — want to be that [No. 1] guy,” Harbaugh said. “They’re not advocating for the other guy to be that guy. They’re advocating for themself to be that guy. My advice is take the job when you get the ball.”
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