Evan Barnes: Giants' Cam Skattebo needs to smarten up and cut out the unnecessary off-the-field stunts

The Giants are counting down the days until training camp in West Virginia begins on Wednesday. They’re also hoping no more serious news breaks before then after Cam Skattebo’s latest incident.

The second-year running back fell down after attempting a backflip at Fanatics Fest last weekend. He popped up fine but after his gruesome ankle injury last year, fans either gasped or rolled their eyes at how ridiculous it looked.

I can’t even imagine John Harbaughs reaction to seeing this LOL pic.twitter.com/hCfiCvwCxV

— WyattzWorld (@WyattzWorId) July 18, 2026

“I’m perfectly fine. Nothing happened. We’re good,” Skattebo said later at Fanatics Fest. 

Skattebo’s wild, reckless energy is great when he’s on the field or entertaining fans. But it’s troubling off it when he needs to make smarter decisions.

Sure, he’s enjoyed riding the wave of his rookie success. Yet maintaining that wave means being mindful of the responsibility that comes with stardom or expectations.

The good news is Skattebo should be cleared for practice when camp begins at The Greenbrier Resort. Coach John Harbaugh said often that was the goal and nothing has changed that.

Harbaugh also took Skattebo’s fall in stride, at least publicly.

“My reaction was this: Dude, at least stick it,” Harbaugh told the “Bleav in Giants” podcast this week. “I mean, land the thing if you're going to do it, you know?”

It’s not the first time Skattebo has attempted a backflip this offseason. He did so on May 30 at Brian Burns’ charity softball game. He landed that one cleanly and videos were shared on social media without any problem.

A welcome sight. Cam Skattebo lightly jogging after a big home run and bat flip. And the return of the back flip! That was unexpected. pic.twitter.com/0GaKLi3Kfe

— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) May 30, 2026

At the time? It was a sign that his ankle was healing. Nearly two months later, his ankle should be much stronger. So should his judgment.

The old rule is that just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. It’s fine Skattebo was confident to try the backflip. It became foolish when he landed awkwardly.
Unfortunately, Skattebo’s fearlessness crashing into opponents can lead to recklessness off the field. Earlier this spring, while on a podcast, he dismissed CTE and asthma as not real.

That’s the same CTE, or chronic trauma encephalopathy, that’s been found in the brain tissue of hundreds of football players after they died. Skattebo apologized soon after.

The failed backflip is moment No. 2 where he needs to realize his actions and words merit responsibility. It’s one thing being at a WWE event last year where he was shoving wrestlers in a scripted fight that was mindful of his injury.

It’s another to fall in public and have fans and Giants brass holding their breath. The risk isn’t worth it. Self-preservation matters more than entertainment.

In one year, Skattebo has become a mini cult hero. He hosted a well-attended football camp in Mineola. Kids love him. Fans dig him. His brash tone endeared him at the Giants’ town hall this spring.

It just has to pay off on the field. And the truth is Skattebo hasn’t proved himself enough to risk squandering his good will.

In eight games, including five starts, his 4.06 yards per carry ranked 36th in the league. He had just one run go for over 20 yards. Yes, he had seven total touchdowns and 617 scrimmage yards before he got hurt. But his bruising style is more suited for short success than long gains. That doesn’t bode well long-term and Skattebo can’t tempt fate with questionable choices.

He may love being a maniac and hate being called “brain-dead" as he said at Fanatics Fest. But he can’t say things like this and expect people to trust he can rein that side in.

“It is what it is. I mean, the New York people love it, so I’m just gonna keep being me,” Skattebo told the crowd. “And if they wanna say I’m brain-dead and I don’t have no brain, then who cares? [Expletive] it, you know?”

Those aren’t the words a key player should say, let alone a potential starter. It doesn’t inspire the confidence that Skattebo will be wiser. With Harbaugh in charge, he needs to be if he wants to remain valuable to this team.

Fortunately, training camp shifts Skattebo’s focus back to football. After this latest situation, one hopes he resumes making headlines for his play and personality, not poor decision making.