Life after Saquon Barkley was supposed to be a disaster for the Meadowlands. If you listened to the local radio chatter back in 2024, the New York Giants running backs were going to be a punchline. Instead, Joe Schoen and his staff basically rebuilt the room with mid-round picks and veteran stopgaps that—dare I say it—actually worked better for the team’s salary cap and scheme.
It’s January 2026. The Giants are holding the No. 5 overall pick, the search for a new head coach is in full swing, and the running back room looks wildly different than it did two years ago.
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Honestly, the biggest story isn't even the veteran presence anymore. It's the kids. Between Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo, the Giants have stumbled into a duo that offers a weird, effective blend of finesse and "run through a brick wall" energy.
The emergence of Tyrone Tracy Jr. and the "Skattebo Effect"
Most people expected Devin Singletary to be the bell cow for the duration of his contract. That didn't happen. By the time we hit the 2025 season, it was clear that Tyrone Tracy Jr. was the more explosive option. He's got that background as a wide receiver from his Purdue and Iowa days, and you can tell. His vision in the open field during the 2025 campaign was arguably the only thing keeping the offense afloat during some of those lean weeks.
Tracy finished 2025 with 740 rushing yards on 176 carries. Not eye-popping, sure. But look at the receiving stats: 36 catches for 288 yards. He’s basically a safety valve for whatever quarterback is under center, whether it was the rookie Jaxson Dart or the veteran Jameis Winston filling in.
Then there’s Cam Skattebo.
The fourth-round pick out of Arizona State became a cult hero in East Rutherford almost immediately. If Tracy is the scalpel, Skattebo is the sledgehammer. He was averaging over 51 yards per game before that nasty dislocated ankle against the Eagles in Week 8.
Here is the current reality of the NY Giants running backs depth chart:
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.: The primary playmaker. He’s heading into 2026 with 1,579 career rushing yards over his first two seasons.
- Cam Skattebo: The "power" back currently rehabbing. He recently told reporters he’s close to running again and expects to be 100% by training camp.
- Devin Singletary: The veteran leader, but honestly, he’s a prime cut candidate this offseason. Releasing him could save the team a significant chunk of change.
- Eric Gray: A depth piece who has struggled to find a consistent role but remains a reliable hand on special teams.
- Dante Miller: The "turbo" option who provides raw speed in limited packages.
Why Devin Singletary is likely out
The business side of the NFL is cold. Singletary was exactly what the Giants needed in 2024—a steady hand. But in 2025, his production dipped to about 25.7 yards per game. When you’re paying a guy veteran money and your 5th-round pick (Tracy) and 4th-round pick (Skattebo) are outperforming him on rookie deals, the writing is on the wall.
Rumors are already swirling that the Giants will move on from Singletary this spring. By cutting him, they could clear part of that $24 million in cap space they desperately need to fix the offensive line and secondary. It's not that he's "bad." It's just that the Giants found a cheaper, younger way to get the same—or better—results.
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The youth movement is real.
What to expect in 2026
If you're a Giants fan, the 2026 season hinges on the health of Skattebo's ankle and Tracy’s ability to handle a full 17-game load. We saw Tracy nominate for a FedEx Ground Player of the Week after a late-season surge, including a 103-yard performance against Dallas in the finale. That’s the ceiling.
The floor? Well, the Giants still have a bottom-tier offensive line. You can have Barry Sanders back there, but if the guards are turnstiles, it doesn't matter.
Actionable Next Steps for 2026:
- Monitor the Coaching Search: A new offensive scheme will determine if Tracy remains a "gadget" threat or a true 20-touch-per-game back.
- Watch the Salary Cap: If Singletary is cut before March, expect the Giants to look for a cheap, veteran "bruiser" in free agency to backup Skattebo.
- Draft Focus: With the No. 5 pick, the Giants are likely looking at QB or OL, which indirectly helps the run game by forcing defenses to stop stacking the box.
The era of the superstar, $12-million-a-year running back in New York is over. What’s left is a committee that’s younger, faster, and surprisingly fun to watch. Keep an eye on Tracy's usage in the passing game—that's where the real value lies for this offense moving forward.