Cam Skattebo’s offseason antics should concern the New York Giants, even if the talent is undeniable
As talented as New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo is, his awareness and ability to read the room have to improve. Specially under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Cam Skattebo has been one of the most talked-about New York Giants players this offseason, and not always for the right reasons. The rookie running back flashed legitimate talent during his abbreviated 2025 campaign, but his string of offseason distractions raises a fair question about the former fourth-round pick’s ability to read the room heading into a significant 2026 season under new head coach John Harbaugh.
I want to be clear from the start: I don’t think Skattebo is a serious character concern. But the silly, impulsive decisions keep piling up, and at a certain point, the pattern matters more than any individual incident.
The injury backdrop makes it worse
Skattebo is coming off a gruesome ankle injury suffered on Oct. 26 against the Philadelphia Eagles, including a tibia fracture, a ruptured deltoid ligament, and a right ankle dislocation. He’s expected to be fine and should hit the ground running during training camp.
That’s the good news. The concern is what he’s been doing while recovering from that injury.
The viral backflip at Fanatics Fest that he failed to land cleanly created a gasp-worthy moment. It wasn’t even the first time. He also attempted one at Giants defensive end Brian Burns’s softball game earlier this offseason. For a player coming off a season-ending ankle injury, the optics are terrible. If he lands wrong, does that completely derail the recovery he just completed?
I will say there’s a small silver lining. The fact that his body held up, even after an awkward landing, does suggest his ankle is sturdy. That’s encouraging. But it doesn’t excuse the decision-making.
Skattebo hasn’t figured out the spotlight yet
The most glaring issue is that Skattebo doesn’t seem to grasp how much bigger his microscope is now compared to Arizona State or Sacramento State. Every backflip, every off-color joke, every brazen comment becomes an instant viral clip and a headline. That’s how the media cycle works. More so in New York. One questionable moment becomes two, and the snowball effect takes over.
While it’s fun to have a player who is confidently himself, there needs to be a different version of Skattebo when he’s at public events and speaking to the media. He can’t speak so brazenly about doing whatever he wants while the organization is trying to build something meaningful.
Can Skattebo be Giants’ feature RB?
On the field, Skattebo’s production speaks for itself. He totaled 617 yards on only 125 touches with seven touchdowns as a fourth-round pick. That’s outstanding efficiency. He has the potential to be a significant contributor to this Giants run game and a valuable piece of the offensive identity Harbaugh wants to establish.
That said, I don’t think Skattebo projects as the long-term featured running back for this team. He and Tyrone Tracy will likely split touches, but knowing how Harbaugh has historically leaned on dynamic, premier backs throughout his coaching career, it wouldn’t surprise me if New York pursues a more explosive option. The 2027 NFL Draft class features talented backs who could fill that lead role.
Skattebo’s talent profile fits more as the secondary rusher in a committee, the second punch to a featured back rather than the premier option.
The wear-and-tear of impulsive behavior
No matter what happens with the running back room’s future, I am hoping Skattebo stops giving us these unnecessary headlines. I love his personality. He’s extremely entertaining, and being unapologetically yourself is important. He’s building a brand that will likely lead to TV and podcast opportunities after his playing career.
But continuing to lack impulse control wears thin. It wears on fans, it wears on decision-makers, and if this team struggles during the season, those fun Skattebo moments will transform into pointed questions about why the team’s running back is doing backflips after a loss. That kind of attention prompts organizations to find alternative options. Hopefully, Skattebo figures that out before it becomes a bigger problem.