Here’s When the NFL Could Announce the Next Subject of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’

Here’s When the NFL Could Announce the Next Subject of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago

NFL fans are anxiously awaiting the announcement of this offseason’s theme for HBO’s “Hard Knocks” documentary.

The documentary delves into the stories surrounding the team, gaining insider access to the subject’s training camp to provide a very insightful and interesting product.

When will the NFL and NFL Films announce the show’s next offseason subject?

There is no infallible answer to the question. But it will certainly come soon.

Last year, news broke of the Jets participating in the off-season documentary on July 12. In 2022, the NFL announced the Lions’ selection to participate on March 28.

The Rams and Chargers volunteered to participate in 2020, which was announced on April 7. The Raiders were selected for the 2019 draft on June 11. And the 2018 Browns announcement came on May 17th.

Past announcement dates are quite volatile. But as we’re teetering on early June, the announcement will certainly happen soon. But there’s no way to know for sure.

The Giants will appear in an all-new version of the documentary on July 2nd. No, this is not the notorious “offseason” version of the show. This version of the series aims to go behind the scenes of the Giants from the end of the 2023 regular season through the summer.

Typically, teams show a strong lack of interest in participating in the offseason version, as they see the documentary as a distraction during training camp. But the NFL has a clause in its contract with HBO to force a team to participate based on its qualifications under certain criteria.

To force a team to participate, they must meet these three criteria:

1) The team does not have a new coach

2) The team did not reach the playoffs in the previous two seasons

3) The team has not participated in “Hard Knocks” in the last 10 years

The three teams that qualify this offseason are the Broncos, Saints and Bears.

The Bears have been crystal clear in previous offseasons about their disinterest in participating. At NFL owners’ meetings in Orlando in late March, Bears president George McCaskey reiterated the team’s apathy.

“We have been told that there is some interest in other teams participating in the program and we welcome that interest,” McCaskey said.

But it’s hard to believe, barring a team volunteering to become the subject, that the league wouldn’t force the Bears to be the next subject of the off-season documentary. Right now, the Bears have built one of the most intriguing stories in the entire league.

Expect the documentary to be announced soon, as the topic is expected to be selected before training camp begins in mid-July.

MORE: Bears Building Arguably the Most Compelling Case for ‘Hard Knocks’ — Even If They Don’t Want to

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