5 things we’re most excited to see when the “Hard Knocks” Bears season begins originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
For years the Chicago Bears avoided HBO cameras and kept their long-running show “Hard Knocks” out of the locker room. That all changes this summer.
Last month, the Bears and HBO announced that the team will be the star of the show, giving fans access to Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Sweat Montez and their first training camp together.
The show follows a similar format each year, so we know what to expect. A star will invite cameras into his home to give fans an insight into his personal life. A young player trying to make the 53-man roster will win over audiences with his underdog story. There will be slow motion moments narrated by Liev Schreiber. Lots and lots of slow motion highlights narrated by Liev Schreiber.
Of course, there will also be some unexpected moments, and these are the moments that are usually immortalized in the history of “Hard Knocks”. In this sense, these are some of the things we are most interested in seeing this summer. Some serious. Some not so serious.
HOW DOES CALEB WILLIAMS INTERACT AND LEAD HIS TEAMS?
Throughout the pre-draft process, we’ve heard countless examples of how Williams’ character off the field matches his talent on the field. But most people can’t see what this is like in real life. While “Hard Knocks” only gives us a glimpse into how Williams acts in the classroom or when he’s at home, it will give fans a new perspective on the new quarterback.
WHAT WILL HBO HIGHLIGHT IN ITS CHICAGO INTRODUCTION?
Each season of “Hard Knocks” highlights a different part of a city or team’s culture in the opening credits sequence. The Buccaneers’ season had players running on the beach to represent Florida. The Jets filmed Manhattan and Central Park with drones to showcase New York City. The Browns had players hitting their tires with hammers because… Cleveland?
There are a lot of things HBO could do in Chicago: big linemen eating deep dish and Italian beef, glamorous shots of the Bean and Millennium Park, or people hanging out by the lake would all work well.
HOW MATT EBERFLUS COMMANDS THE ROOM?
We’ve seen some videos of Eberflus on social media in the locker room or talking to players during the draft, but not many of Eberflus as he goes over the game plan. When the Colts appeared on the show in 2018, Flus made a few appearances in front of the team. He was the team’s defensive coordinator at the time and made “ball hawk” shirts for players who created takeaways. He brought ball hawk ideas to Chicago in the form of his Ball Hawk award.
What else will we learn about Eberflus as a head coach this summer?
WHO IS THE BIGGEST CLASS CLOWN?
One of the big advantages of “Hard Knocks” is that you can watch the players playing between practice periods or in the meeting rooms before installing a game plan. These are moments of humanization and the players seem to lower their guard more as they get used to the HBO cameras. A polite guy on the podium might end up being one of the team’s comedians in other settings.
HOW BIG IS MATT EBERFLUS’ APIARY?
Earlier this year we learned that Eberflus is a beekeeper. He has an apiary at home and even bottles his own honey.
With any luck, we’ll see the head trainer in full beekeeping gear, tending to his hives.
