The start of NFL training camps is right around the corner, and a team has yet to be chosen or forced to appear on HBO’s Hard Knocks, which is a little unusual as a team is usually picked at this point.
Due to the rules established by the league, only four teams in the NFL are currently eligible to be showcased on the popular offseason show, with only one being the clear favorite among football fans.
According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the four teams that meet the criteria to be on the show are the Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets.
The Jets are the popular choice, with superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers now in New York, but head coach Robert Saleh hopes they don’t get picked.
In order not to be forced on Hard Knocks, you need to have at least 1 of the following 3:
1) Have a first-year HC
2) A playoff berth in the past 2 seasons.
3) Appeared on Hard Knocks in the past 10 years.Jets, Saints, Commanders and Bears don’t hit any and could be forced on. https://t.co/BEy0XcV9bx
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 9, 2023
Although Hard Knocks is entertaining for NFL fans, it can distract a franchise and its players and coaches.
NFL teams use the offseason and training camps to prepare for the grind of the upcoming season, in which they finalize their rosters and see what they have to work with moving forward.
With Rodgers putting the spotlight on the Jets already, it will be a media frenzy and a daily storyline(s) if they are picked to be on the show, with everything getting dissected, analyzed, and criticized every week.
Obviously, that makes for great TV, and it would be somewhat shocking if the league picked one of the other three teams, but a decision still has yet to be made.
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