Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t hold back when talking about the New York Giants parting ways with Najee Harris after the running back spoke out about his usage in the offense.

“Najee Harris spoke out about a lack of rhythm in run game opportunites and now he’s unemployed. Message sent,” Tomlin said on Football Night in America.

That was certainly a blunt reaction by Tomlin on his former running back in Pittsburgh.

Harris expressed frustration with the Giants’ running back usage approach in the team’s loss to the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 18.

“It’s hard to get in a rhythm with one or two plays,” Harris said. “The first couple runs will be like, ‘OK, how are they playing it?’ And then the next ones will be, ‘OK, this is how you attack it.’ But if you’re getting a play here and then get taken out for a series, there’s nothing you could do. That’s why I’m saying, ‘I don’t know.’ I’ve never been through none of this before.”

John Harbaugh reacted to Harris’ comments the following day.

“Our run game hasn’t earned that yet, none of those guys have. My advice would be, do the most you can with the opportunities you get. Make the most of your opportunities and you’re sure to get more,” Harbaugh said. “Do something. I get it, you want to get out there and get a rhythm, but that rhythm is earned, too. And that hasn’t happened yet. I know he understands that.”

Harbaugh was not pleased with the Giants’ running backs’ performance against the Saints, calling the ground game “not very good, not very good.”

“All those guys were taking equal reps in the first half. We were trying to see who could make something happen, who could get a hot hand and earn it. Nobody has really taken the bull by the horns,” Harbaugh said after Sunday’s loss. “One of those guys needs to step up. Somebody needs to step up and be the back. And none of those guys have done that yet. And when one of those guys steps up to be the back, then they’ll be the back.”

That back, obviously, wasn’t Harris. The Giants cut ties with Harris on Oct. 20, two days after he spoke out.

As Tomlin said, the message was sent from Harbaugh. And the Giants’ run game improved in New York’s 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. Cam Skattebo led the Giants with 124 yards rushing on 17 carries (7.3 average) and one touchdown.