Did Mike Tomlin Reveal John Harbaugh’s Bold Plan To Fix The New York Giants’ Backfield?

Mike Tomlin calls John Harbaugh's handling of Cam Skattebo and Najee Harris an overreaction© X/@NFL

John Harbaugh arrived at the New York Giants with a reputation for control, and in seven games he has shown why. He sat running back Cam Skattebo after a costly overtime fumble. He released veteran Najee Harris after the back questioned his workload. Then Mike Tomlin, the coach who spent years across the field from Harbaugh, put a name on all of it during Sunday night's broadcast. His label sounds harsh at first. His full explanation sounds almost like a compliment. The truth sits somewhere between the two, and the Giants' backfield shows it clearly.

Mike Tomlin Says John Harbaugh Used An Axe On The New York Giants' Running Back Problem

Mike Tomlin did not soften his view. “Killing a mosquito with an axe,” he said, and then he explained what he meant.

“By that, I mean an overreaction,” Tomlin said. “Just so your group knows that you mean business, and certainly he had an overreaction or a hyperreaction to their run game wounds.”

The numbers show why Harbaugh's patience wore thin. Skattebo had five fumbles in 13 career games when he lost the ball in overtime of the 27-27 tie with the Washington Commanders. Harbaugh sat him the following week, and the Giants fell 34-27 to the New Orleans Saints. Harris was averaging 3.2 yards per carry while talking openly about wanting more touches, and the Giants cut him soon after. Harbaugh called the move nothing personal.

POWERFUL: New York #Giants head coach John Harbaugh gave ALL GLORY TO GOD after New York's massive win today. “Very grateful to my Lord … protector and stronghold, the Lord God in heaven.” Harbaugh praises the Lord after every game no matter if it is a win or loss.  https://t.co/EwaVomlSNx

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) October 26, 2026

Tomlin refused to pretend the benching was anything else. “He put him on the shelf. Whether he acknowledged he put him on the shelf or not is one thing. He put him on the shelf.”

Cam Skattebo Responds For The New York Giants Against The Houston Texans

The shelf did not hold Skattebo for long. He carried 17 times for 124 yards and a touchdown in the 27-21 win over the Houston Texans, and a 42-yard run set up the winning score. He also changed how he holds the ball, using what he calls a wrist lock. “I think I got taught a lesson,” he said.

That result is what makes Tomlin's take so interesting. A coach who just called a move an overreaction then argued that it paid off. “You can always ease up and be buddy buddy,” Tomlin added. “I just think it's important at the early stages you establish a rapport, and that's what he was doing. And certainly it worked in a big way.”

Harbaugh now has a 4-2-1 team heading into Week 8, a running back who answered the call, and a rival who respects the method even while doubting the size of the swing. Skattebo's wrist lock will get its next test soon enough.