New York Jets training camp will be under the spotlight this summer with HBO and NFL Films featuring the most-talked-about team around the league in Hard Knocks 2023. While the training camp series is returning once again, it won’t be the same for fans.
Fans of Hard Knocks still remember the unforgettable storylines of unknown players fighting for roster spots, vibrant coaching personalities stealing the show, heated fights during practices and the final episode when the team cuts down to a 53-man roster.
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While filming is just getting started, the Jets have already signaled to the NFL and HBO that their involuntary participation in Hard Knocks will have consequences for the product. Specifically, after fighting against being featured, significantly limiting what airs on HBO this season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared on Get Up that the Jets fought the NFL and NFL Films extremely hard on being forced to do Hard Knocks. Now that they’ve been chosen by the league, New York plans to restrict what the audience sees even more than usual.
“Hard Knocks will not be the same, because they’re not going to be given the same access. The Jets don’t believe it’s humane to show players being released.”
Adam Schefter on New York Jets’ approach to Hard Knocks
As Schefter described, there’s a massive difference between now and the last time the Jets were spotlighted by HBO Sports. When the Jets were on Hard Knocks 2010, head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum were supportive of the partnership and cooperated with the film crew and editing team to make an entertaining product.
That won’t be the case this time around. Aaron Rodgers, head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas are opposed to New York being forced to do the show, but the NFL made it mandatory. So, Jets’ officials will exercise their editorial controls on filming.
New York has already made moves ahead of training camp that will eliminate several potential storylines. The Jets extended Quinnen Williams, eliminating a likely training camp holdout, and traded Denzel Mims before he reported to camp.
Ratings have been an issue for the show in recent years. While the show’s popularity rebounded in 2022 with the Detroit Lions, it’s evident the Jets might not be nearly as entertaining or welcoming this time around. As long as the show remains relatively popular, though, the NFL will keep it around and continue forcing teams to participate.