Report: Jets Preparing For ‘Involuntary’ Selection For ‘Hard Knocks’

Update:

The Jets have now been selected as the 2023 season Hard Knocks team, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter

Original Story:

The New York Jets are preparing themselves for the upcoming preseason Hard Knocks assignment, despite publicly and privately expressing their lack of interest in being the focus of this year’s popular NFL documentary series.

A league source told to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio that the Jets are “Bracing for an involuntary Hard Knocks assignment.”

The Jets are one of the four teams that meet the criteria for being required to participate in the 2023 preseason Hard Knocks. The criteria, established several years ago, include teams without a new head coach, those who have not made the playoffs in the past two years, and those that have not been featured on the show in the last decade.

Alongside the Jets, the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and the Commanders fit these requirements.

While the Jets, Saints, and Bears have expressed their reluctance to take part in this year’s show, the Commanders are reportedly open to the possibility if assigned. Florio’s sources also suggest that the league may prefer to wait until after the sale of the Commanders’ team is finalized, making them a potential in-season option for the show.

The NFL has been in discussions with several other teams, hoping to find a volunteer to participate in Hard Knocks. The Detroit Lions, who appeared on the show just last year, were approached for a potential second consecutive appearance but declined the offer.

Technically, the Jets cannot decline the assignment as the NFL has the authority to require teams to participate in Hard Knocks. However, it is worth noting that the league generally refrains from forcing a team to be featured when they express their unwillingness.

Despite their reservations, the Jets are considered by many fans to be the most appealing choice for Hard Knocks. The team carries high expectations, bolstered by the presence of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was traded from the Green Bay Packers during the offseason.

Additionally, the Jets’ successful run in 2010, under the leadership of coach Rex Ryan, still resonates with fans. The vivid memories of that season, which saw the team famously embracing their underdog status and even engaging in lighthearted snack-eating antics, only add to the intrigue surrounding the Jets.

If the Jets do end up being selected, it could potentially create a more compelling and dramatic presentation. The reluctance of the coaching staff and players to have cameras and microphones documenting their every move could generate an intriguing dynamic, showcasing the behind-the-scenes tensions and conflicts that arise when individuals feel their privacy is being invaded.

Such a scenario would truly embody the essence of a captivating reality show.

As the anticipation builds, fans eagerly await the official announcement of which team will be featured on the upcoming season of Hard Knocks.