Najee Harris wanted enough carries to find a rhythm. Two days after publicly airing that frustration, he was looking for another team.
The New York Giants released the veteran running back on Tuesday, and Mike Florio saw it as a familiar John Harbaugh response. He also thought Harris had a legitimate complaint about an offense struggling to establish its running backs.
Speaking alongside Devin McCourty on "Pro Football Talk," Florio connected Harris' departure to Harbaugh's approach to managing his locker room.
"On Tuesday he got cut, and that's just classic John Harbaugh," Florio said . "There were times in Baltimore, if somebody's causing a problem, if there's any hint of a mutiny, you're just gone."
Florio continued his interpretation of the coach's message. "And Najee Harris, you are gone. Don't be talking that stuff. You're not in charge of the team. Even though everything he said is absolutely right."
That last sentence matters. Florio understood the football argument Harris was making, even as he viewed the release as a response to a player publicly challenging the operation.
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN's Free NFL Playoff Predictor
Harris had managed four carries for two yards in Sunday's 34–27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. His exit came just days after starting ahead of Cam Skattebo, adding another turn to an already unsettled backfield.
"It's hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays," Harris said after the game. He explained that brief appearances followed by stretches on the sideline limited his ability to adjust to the defense.
Florio pointed to the distribution of New York's rushing production against New Orleans. In his breakdown, J.J. McCarthy led the team, followed by receiver Darnell Mooney. Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s 18 yards placed him behind both.
"You just don't get into a rhythm," Florio said. "I'm fine with a committee approach, but you can't have a box of chocolates approach where every guy is just going to be out there for a play or two and he's not knowing what's going on."
IMPROVE YOUR TEAM: PFN's Free Fantasy Trade Calculator
His concern was continuity. A running back needs opportunities to recognize how defenders are responding and apply that information on subsequent carries.
Harris' complaint centered on having those opportunities interrupted.
Harbaugh's answer was that a featured role had to be earned. "My advice is, 'Go out there and take the job when you get the ball. Take the job,'" Harbaugh said .
The available production illustrates the challenge. Skattebo sits No. 33 with a 71.4 grade in PFN's Running Back Impact rankings.
Harris' departure removes one player from the rotation. Harbaugh still needs someone to make the job his own, and Florio's question remains relevant for whoever gets the next carry: How long will he stay in?
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
