Ranking the 5 NFL teams eligible to appear on Hard Knocks
By Zach Cohen
Ranking the five NFL teams eligible for HBO’s Hard Knocks in 2021 and the storylines that could drive each team’s potential season.
The NFL offseason is here, which means football’s biggest event is on the horizon: HBO’s Hard Knocks. Okay, clearly it’s not “the biggest” event, but it can produce some fun football content. Who can forget Rex Ryan’s famous snack speech, or Vontae Davis’ legendary reaction to getting traded?
As of now, this year’s team has yet to be announced. Any team can volunteer to participate in the show, but only a handful of teams are eligible to be forced to do it by the NFL. The criteria for that is as follows:
- Haven’t been on the show in the last ten years
- Don’t have a new head coach
- Missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons
If no team steps up to the plate, the league can choose from these five teams that meet the requirements this year. In order, here are the rankings for which teams would make the best television in this summer’s Hard Knocks.
5. Carolina Panthers
The show typically likes to select up-and-coming teams and the Panthers may check that box. Entering year two under former Temple head coach Matt Rhule, Carolina has a ways to go before they’re seen as a real threat in the NFC. And that tends to make for some intriguing television.
It would be interesting to see quarterback Sam Darnold navigate his first training camp in Charlotte. Running back Christian McCaffrey would also undoubtedly provide some entertainment, too. However, these rankings are less about personalities and more about storylines. Simply put, the Panthers don’t have as many storylines as the other teams.
Following the rookies is always a fun component of the show, and Jaycee Horn — the eighth overall pick — would be no exception. It would also be cool to check in on second-year defenders Derrick Brown and Jeremy Chinn, both of whom had promising rookie seasons.
Listen, I’m sure HBO would find a way to make Hard Knocks entertaining with the Panthers, especially since there are always under-the-radar storylines and training camp battles. I just can’t find myself being as excited about them as I would be for the other eligible teams.