A new NFL season will soon be upon us, and with that comes a new season of HBO's "Hard Knocks."
Debuting in 2001, the series follows one NFL franchise during training camp and the preseason, providing an exclusive and intimate look at the inner working of a team. Hard Knocks documents team practices, meetings, and delivers raw, behind-the-scenes footage of coaches, players, and staff as they go through the rigors of preparing for the upcoming season.
To be selected for Hard Knocks, a team must not have a first-year head coach or have successfully qualified for the playoffs over the last two years. Additionally, the team must not have been featured in a season within the past 10 years.
There are four teams in the running to headline the show in 2023. Join us as we break down the latest odds available.
Hard Knocks next team odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
 New York Jets |
-330 |
 Chicago Bears |
+475 |
 New Orleans Saints |
+500 |
 Washington Commanders |
+1,100 |
Odds as of April 13, 2023.
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Favorites to star in Hard Knocks
New York Jets (-330)
The New York Jets are heavy favorites to appear in Hard Knocks over the summer, and it makes sense.
Gang Green is coming off a 7-10 season under head coach Robert Saleh and was in the playoff hunt for the majority of the 2022 season. Led by Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner and Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, the young budding cast will be rounded out nicely if the Jets are able to swing a deal for four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Besides, the Jets already knocked it out of the park in 2010 when they were last featured on the show.
Thinking about the last time the Jets were on Hard Knocks pic.twitter.com/5fdDgIpuyG
— BetMGM ???? (@BetMGM) March 23, 2023
Chicago Bears (+475)
The Chicago Bears have already made a splash by trading the No. 1 overall pick to Carolina in exchange for a surplus of draft capital, and now they could gain some further attention.
With head coach Matt Eberflus now in his second season, the Bears will look to rebound from a disappointing 3-14 campaign, Chicago will look for the same Hard Knocks "bump" that put the Detroit Lions back on the map last season.
With young quarterback Justin Fields continuing to show signs of improvement and the abundance of future draft picks, the sky could be the limit in the Windy City going forward.
Unfortunately for Chicago fans, Bears chairman George McCaskey doesn't exactly seem hell-bent on his franchise being followed around by cameras...
No surprise, but the Bears are not interested in being on "Hard Knocks." They are one of the teams eligible to be forced to do it in 2023.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) March 29, 2023
George McCaskey: "We feel there are a number of teams that have compelling stories to tell on Hard Knocks."
Bears included?
"31 others."
New Orleans Saints (+500)
It's not necessarily the New Orleans Saints team that we've been accustomed to over the past 15 years; gone are the days of Drew Brees and Sean Payton leading NOLA to several winning seasons.
However, that doesn't mean the Saints won't be a fun group to follow. Led by one of the most passionate fanbases in the NFL, New Orleans also features young talent like Chris Olave and the always-personable Cameron Jordan.
Plus, you can bank on the fact that Jameis Winston would become a fan favorite with cameras following the Saints QB around during training camp.
Jameis Winston with an ... interesting pump up speech. ???? pic.twitter.com/z0tESHAA6k
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 5, 2017
Washington Commanders (+1,100)
The Washington Commanders have been embroiled in several controversies over the years, including prior criticism of team owner Dan Snyder, the team's past name, and even allegations of workplace misconduct.
Appearing on Hard Knocks could potentially help repair the franchise's image around the league and in the media.
Previous Teams Featured on Hard Knocks
| Year | Team | Projected win total | Win total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (in Season) | Arizona Cardinals | 8.5 | 4 |
| 2022 | Detroit Lions | 6.5 | 9 |
| 2021 (in Season) | Indianapolis Colts | 9 | 9 |
| 2021 | Dallas Cowboys | 9.5 | 12 |
| 2020 | LA Rams / LA Chargers | 8.5/8 | 10/7 |
| 2019 | Oakland Raiders | 6 | 7 |
| 2018 | Cleveland Browns | 6 | 7 |
| 2017 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8.5 | 5 |
| 2016 | Los Angeles Rams | 7.5 | 4 |
| 2015 | Houston Texans | 8.5 | 9 |
| 2014 | Atlanta Falcons | 8.5 | 6 |
| 2013 | Cincinnati Bengals | 8.5 | 11 |
| 2012 | Miami Dolphins | 7 | 7 |
| 2011 | None | NA | NA |
| 2010 | New York Jets | 9.5 | 11 |
| 2009 | Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 10 |
| 2008 | Dallas Cowboys | 10.5 | 9 |
| 2007 | Kansas City Chiefs | 7.5 | 4 |
| 2005 | None | NA | NA |
| 2004 | None | NA | NA |
| 2003 | None | NA | NA |
| 2002 | Dallas Cowboys | 6 | 5 |
| 2001 | Baltimore Ravens | 11 | 10 |
