After successful rookie year, Tracy is secure that he is “a good running back”
Tyrone Tracy had an exciting rookie season for the New York Giants. Tracy ran for 839, second-most of any rookie running back, and compiled 1,123 yards from scrimmage.
A fifth-round pick, he looked like he could be an exciting play-maker for the Giants for the next several seasons.
Fast forward to the summer of 2025, and Tracy is RB1 for the Giants. Yet, he seems like a player flying under the radar.
No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter is wowing teammates. There is a first-round rookie quarterback to keep fans’ attention in Jaxson Dart. There is a new starting quarterback in Russell Wilson. There is a new rookie running back in Cam Skattebo who is becoming a fan favorite and gaining praise from the head coach.
Tracy is just plugging along, getting his reps and showing play-making ability as both a runner and receiver.
The presence of Skattebo, a good player and a big personality, doesn’t threaten him.
“Cam here is nothing but adding to what we got. I think that it’s a great addition to the room,” tracy said. “If you look around our room, there’s really nothing anyone can’t do. We didn’t add Cam just to do one thing. We added him because he’s a good running back. You know what I’m saying? They didn’t bring me here just to do one thing. They added me because I’m a good running back.
“So, at the end of the day, whoever’s in there on third down, second down, first down, it doesn’t matter what it is. You’re going to produce, and that’s the standard that we have in a running back room. When we go on the field and we get them opportunities, whether it’s pass or run or even pass protection, man, make the play. There is no third down back. There is no, you’re passing down back, whatever. There’s not that in our room. It’s more so can you play, and then when you do get the opportunities, take care of it. You know what I’m saying? And make the most of it.”
In case you forgot amidst the hype surrounding Skattebo, this is the kind of running Tracy is capable of:
Follow Tyrone Tracy Jr step for step on all six of his 20 yard runs from 2024 pic.twitter.com/z1jrYyzK9C
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) June 30, 2025
Head coach Brian Daboll says there are ‘all different shapes, sizes of running backs, different speed, different quickness, tall, short.”
Tracy and Skattebo are examples. Tracy, 5-foot-11, 209 pounds, is more of a slasher with 4.48 speed. Skattebo, at 5-9, 215, is a power runner.
“I mean, shoot, look at him [Skattebo]. You know what I’m saying? The man’s strong and powerful. I’m more slippery and elusive,” tracy said. “But at the same time, we both can catch out the backfield, we both can pass protect. So, it’s not like when Cam comes in, ‘Oh we’re running the ball downhill.’ No, he can do really anything, just like I can do really anything.
“So, it’s a really good addition to our running back room because when you add a player like that, that can give that power element, not necessarily saying we didn’t have it last year, but when you watch his film, you can obviously see it on film what he’s bringing to the table.”
Tracy compiled his numbers last season despite getting just 16 touches in the season’s first four games. Tracy has said 1,600 or 1,700 total yards is possible.
“I wouldn’t put nothing out there that isn’t reasonable for me to shoot for. If I say it, that means I’m trying to go for it. But, yeah, that’s definitely reasonable for m,” Tracy said. “Like I said, if you look at it from the points of last year, a healthy O-line, I didn’t play until game five. I had, like, 500 yards, you know, by week nine, something like that, or our bye week. Obviously, everybody started getting hurt, so we playing a mixed match with the O-line, so it makes it a little harder.
“But at the same time, I do believe in my skill set, I believe that in our O-line, I believe in our coaching staff, that we can get the job done. And then if I go out there and just do what I do, you know, God willing, all my goals will be checked off.”
After grinding through a 3-14 season in 2024, though, Tracy just wants to win.
“I think the first thing we need to do is win. I think winning will bring everything else. It’s cool to sit up here and talk about all your personal accolades and all your personal goals and all this and that. But at the end of the day, you got to win.,” Tracy said. “If you don’t win, none of that stuff really matters. I could have 2,000 yards, but you’re losing. If you look at some of the best running backs, they’re on winning teams. You know what I’m saying? So, if you just have a good team, period, point blank, your personal stats will come along.”
If the Giants are a winning team in 2025, odds are Tracy’s play will have something to do with it.
