HBO picked the New York Jets to be featured in the series “Hard Knocks” during the team’s summer training camp. Here’s what you need to know:
- The NFL announced the first episode will premiere Tuesday, Aug. 8.
- Cameras will reportedly be rolling when the Jets start training camp on July 19. Tickets for the Jets’ first four open training camp practices sold out in three minutes.
- The Jets were one of four teams eligible for the series, alongside the Saints, Bears and Commanders.
- Teams are not eligible to be on the show if they have a first-year head coach, secured a playoff berth in the past two seasons and appeared on “Hard Knocks” within the past 10 years.
Ready to take flight. ✈️#HardKnocks Training Camp with the @nyjets premieres August 8th on @StreamOnMax. pic.twitter.com/z24BYqtpOY
— NFL (@NFL) July 17, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Is this a surprise?
The Jets were adamant that they didn’t want to be on “Hard Knocks” — coach Robert Saleh said as much — but alas, they didn’t get their wish. That shouldn’t come as a major surprise considering the NFL already scheduled them for five primetime games, plus the inaugural Black Friday game against the Dolphins in November.
Advertisement
Once the Jets reeled in quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they became the most appealing of the four teams the NFL could force to participate in the HBO show. — Rosenblatt
Where the Jets stand
Saleh and the Jets didn’t say why they don’t want HBO featuring them in training camp, but one major reason is likely that they don’t want any distractions in a year when they fully believe a Super Bowl is within reach. Plus, other teams will be watching “Hard Knocks” too, for clues when they face them. Another reason: The Jets conduct their own version of “Hard Knocks” internally, it was called “One Jets Drive” last year, named for their facilities address. That series included footage of players at home, behind-the-scenes at the facility and in meetings — which is the specialty in “Hard Knocks.”
Now that we know the Jets will be on the show, it’s not hard to imagine the show being particularly entertaining. There’s not only the Rodgers factor, but a roster of personalities that also includes Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and D.J. Reed — plus the storylines of Zach Wilson’s third year, Nathaniel Hackett coming off his struggles as the Broncos coach, Quinnen Williams’ contract and much more. — Rosenblatt
Required reading
- Predicting Jets training camp position battles — and why Mekhi Becton is so intriguing
- Early Jets 53-man roster projection: Why Joe Douglas probably won’t sign another QB
- ‘Hard Knocks,’ anyone? 4 NFL teams are eligible, so what’s the holdup for HBO series?
(Photo: AP Photo / Seth Wenig)