Hard Knocks: Jets, Bears, Saints, Commanders Are The Four Teams Eligible; Players React

The NFL’s popular documentary series, Hard Knocks, is set to return for the 2023 season on HBO, and four teams have been identified as eligible candidates for the show.

The New York Jets, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Commanders are the four teams in the running to be featured on the behind-the-scenes series, which gives fans an inside look at the inner workings of an NFL team during training camp.

The Jets

The Jets appear to be the front-runners for the show, as reports of a potential trade for Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers swirl around the team and waiting to come to fruition.

The Jets have a talented roster that was on the brink of making the playoffs last season, with their struggles largely stemming from their offense and quarterback play.

The team’s second-year quarterback Zach Wilson had a rocky start to his NFL career, and was largely responsible for the team’s late-season collapse. However, the team boasts a number of young offensive weapons, including offensive rookie player of the year Garrett Wilson, who could thrive with the addition of a veteran quarterback like Rodgers.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Jets have a star in cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was named defensive rookie player of the year in 2022. With the potential addition of Rodgers, the Jets could emerge as a serious playoff contender in 2023, making their journey a fascinating one to watch on Hard Knocks.

The Bears

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears may not be as obvious a choice for Hard Knocks, having finished the 2022 season with a dismal record of 3-14. However, the team’s recent trade of the first overall pick in the 2023 draft to the Carolina Panthers for a haul of picks and top receiver D.J. Moore has generated plenty of buzz.

The team is led by electrifying quarterback Justin Fields, who nearly set the NFL single-season record for rushing yards in 2022 while also showing flashes of brilliance as a passer. While the Bears have plenty of areas where they need to improve, including their offensive line and defense, the potential growth and development of Fields could make for a compelling storyline on Hard Knocks.

Player Reactions

As news of the potential candidates for the show spread, some players have already started to weigh in on the possibility of being featured on Hard Knocks. Jets receiver Mecole Hardman shared a series of eye emojis on Twitter, while veteran special teams captain Justin Hardee expressed some reluctance, writing: “Man y’all can give hard knocks to another team man we tryna focus and win that’s a distraction.”

The decision on which team will be featured on Hard Knocks is ultimately up to the NFL, but the potential candidates all offer their own unique storylines and challenges. Regardless of which team is chosen, fans can look forward to another season of behind-the-scenes access to an NFL team as they prepare for the upcoming season.