Stephen A. Smith criticizes John Harbaugh
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith criticized New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh on October 19, 2026. His remarks followed running back Cam Skattebo’s limited participation against the New Orleans Saints in Week 6.
During ESPN’s First Take, Smith challenged Harbaugh’s explanation for Skattebo receiving no offensive touches. The criticism followed New York’s 34-27 loss to New Orleans on October 18 at MetLife Stadium.
Stephen A. Smith challenges Harbaugh’s explanation
Stephen A. Smith disputed John Harbaugh’s claim that Cam Skattebo’s lack of carries against New Orleans was unplanned. Smith addressed the coach’s explanation during ESPN’s First Take broadcast on October 19.
The ESPN commentator argued that Harbaugh should have acknowledged intentionally reducing Skattebo’s opportunities. Smith believed the coach could have directly explained his frustration with the running back instead of denying a planned benching.
Cam Skattebo receives no offensive touches
Cam Skattebo finished the New York Giants’ October 18 game against the New Orleans Saints without a rushing attempt or reception. The running back participated in only 6 offensive snaps during the defeat.
Skattebo entered the matchup with 81 rushing attempts during the 2026 season and finished with the same total. All 6 of his offensive snaps came during the first half of New York’s loss.
John Harbaugh explains the running back rotation
John Harbaugh said the New York Giants entered their October 18 matchup intending to evaluate several running backs. The coaching staff wanted to identify a player capable of establishing himself through consistent production.
Harbaugh explained that Skattebo received no carries because the offense called no running plays during his appearances. He maintained that the complete absence of rushing attempts was not part of the original plan.
Cam Skattebo’s fumbles prompt reduced playing time
Cam Skattebo recorded 4 fumbles during his first 5 games of the 2026 NFL season. His difficulties protecting the football contributed to concerns about his reliability in the New York Giants’ offense.
Skattebo’s latest costly mistake occurred during overtime against the Washington Commanders on October 11. The fumble disrupted New York’s opportunity to win before the teams finished their Week 5 matchup tied at 27.
Cam Skattebo accepts responsibility for mistakes
Cam Skattebo acknowledged that his reduced playing time followed his mistakes earlier in the season. Speaking after the October 18 loss, the running back accepted responsibility for the consequences of his previous fumbles.
Skattebo explained that he expected fewer opportunities against New Orleans but did not anticipate receiving zero touches. He also emphasized remaining prepared and continuing to perform his responsibilities whenever the coaching staff needed him.
Stephen A. Smith questions Skattebo’s attention
Stephen A. Smith also discussed Cam Skattebo’s growing public profile during his October 19 comments. The ESPN commentator suggested that the running back’s endorsement deals and increased recognition had become part of the discussion.
Smith argued that Skattebo needed to focus on meeting expectations as New York’s leading running back. His criticism linked the attention the player received to his responsibility to protect the football and to produce consistently.
Fun fact: During the September 3, 2022 season opener, Cameron Skattebo delivered a legendary performance to lead the Sacramento State Hornets to a 56-33 victory over Utah Tech.
Cam Skattebo’s rookie season showed promise
Cam Skattebo recorded 410 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns during his rookie season with the New York Giants in 2025. He also contributed 207 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns across 8 appearances.
His debut season ended early after he suffered a serious ankle injury against the Philadelphia Eagles. The injury required surgery and interrupted his first NFL campaign before his return during the 2026 season.
Cam Skattebo’s rushing average declines
Cam Skattebo averaged approximately 3.6 yards per rushing attempt through Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season. He recorded 294 rushing yards on 81 attempts before the New York Giants entered Week 7.
Those figures left Skattebo as New York’s leading rusher despite receiving no carries against New Orleans. His average was lower than the approximately 4.1 yards per rushing attempt he recorded during his rookie season.
New York Giants struggle with rushing production
The New York Giants struggled to establish a consistent running game during their October 18 loss to New Orleans. Their running backs combined for 34 rushing yards on 14 attempts during the matchup.
John Harbaugh expressed frustration with the lack of production from the backfield. The coach wanted a running back to earn a larger role through stronger performances rather than continuing to divide opportunities among several players.
New York Giants release Najee Harris
The New York Giants released veteran running back Najee Harris on October 20, 2026. The roster decision followed his public frustration about limited opportunities during the team’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Harris recorded 99 rushing yards on 31 attempts during his time with New York. Against New Orleans, he gained only 2 yards on 4 carries after receiving the starting assignment ahead of Cam Skattebo.
Michael Irvin supports John Harbaugh’s decision
Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin supported John Harbaugh’s handling of Cam Skattebo during ESPN’s First Take discussion. Irvin believed the reduced playing time sent an important message about accountability and the need to correct mistakes.
Irvin expressed confidence that Skattebo could respond positively and earn another opportunity. His position differed from Stephen A. Smith’s criticism, which focused primarily on Harbaugh’s explanation rather than the decision to limit Skattebo’s involvement.
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Cam Skattebo faces uncertain Week 7 role
Cam Skattebo’s playing time remained uncertain as of October 21, 2026, before the New York Giants’ scheduled matchup against the Houston Texans. The teams are set to meet on October 25 in Houston.
Following Najee Harris’s release, New York’s remaining running backs included Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Devin Singletary. John Harbaugh had not publicly established which player would receive the largest share of rushing opportunities.
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Do you agree with Stephen A. Smith’s criticism of John Harbaugh, or was limiting Cam Skattebo’s playing time the right decision? Share your opinion in the comments!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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