Najee Harris released by the Giants days after questioning his role

The New York Giants released running back Najee Harris on Tuesday, Oct. 20, two days after he publicly questioned how he was being used. His name drew more than 50,000 US searches overnight, according to Google Trends, along with “Giants depth chart.”

The move

The Giants’ official transaction log lists Harris and outside linebacker Jihad Ward as “terminated, vested veteran” on Oct. 20. In the same set of moves, the team signed outside linebacker Trace Ford from its practice squad to the active roster and added wide receiver Jason Brownlee to the practice squad, Giants.com reported.

Harris had signed with New York on Aug. 18, according to the team’s transaction log.

His numbers with the Giants

ProFootballTalk reported that in five games with one start, Harris had 31 carries for 99 yards.

Accounts of his final game, Sunday’s loss to the Saints, differ. PFT said he had four carries for two yards on 11 snaps, while the AP’s headline describes a two-carry, 4-yard game. We couldn’t resolve the discrepancy from the reports we reviewed.

What Harris said on Sunday

After the game, Harris spoke candidly about the difficulty of finding a rhythm with limited, scattered touches.

“It’s hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays,” he said, according to PFT. “If you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do. That’s why I’m saying, ‘I don’t know.’ I’ve never been through none of this before.”

PFT’s Mike Florio wrote that it was “hard not to think” the release was a reaction to those comments. That’s analysis, not something the team has said. The reports we reviewed didn’t include a Giants statement explaining the decision.

Background

Harris was a first-round pick in 2021 and had four straight 1,000-yard seasons in Pittsburgh, PFT noted. He tore an Achilles tendon after three games with the Chargers in 2025. PFT says his Giants deal was a one-year, $1.215 million contract.

As a vested veteran, Harris is free to sign with any team.

FAQ

Did the Giants cut Najee Harris? Yes, on Oct. 20, 2026.

How did he play for the Giants? 31 carries for 99 yards in five games, per ProFootballTalk.

Who else was released? Outside linebacker Jihad Ward.