HBO's Hard Knocks, a popular reality show that follows an NFL team throughout training camp, has been on the air for over two decades. Those who are not Bears fans surely have seen other teams and got a glimpse of how each team operates during training camp as they prepare for the upcoming regular season. But believe it or not, they still do not have a team for this upcoming season.
Apparently, the league is having trouble finding teams, who will volunteer to be on Hard Knocks. Back in 2013, the NFL announced that in the absence of a team volunteering to participate in Hard Knocks, the league could force a team to participate.
According to Wikipedia, the teams that are exempt from being forced to participate in Hard Knocks falls in three circumstances:
(1) They have appeared in the past ten years.
(2) They have a first-year head coach. (3) They reached the playoffs in either of the two preceding seasons.
Chicago Bears need to embrace this opportunity to be on 'Hard Knocks'
There are four teams that are eligible to be on the show this upcoming season: The Jets, the Commanders, the Saints, and the Bears. Each team has a legitimate reason to be on Hard Knocks The Jets, after acquiring Aaron Rodgers and adding several former Packer players, should be considered heavy favorites as everyone is very curious to see how he handles himself in the Big Apple after leaving Green Bay on such bad terms.
The Bears have already indicated they are not interested this year and probably never will be as long as the McCaskeys own the team. But the NFL has every reason to select the Bears for this upcoming season. This team probably won't make the playoffs in 2023, so there is less pressure to do so this season. Putting it off beyond this year changes nothing as long as the NFL can force teams to participate.
First of all, this team is moving in the right direction under general manager Ryan Poles. Whenever he had spoken in an interview, Poles have been very honest and eloquent. He isn't afraid to speak and is comfortable, which makes Hard Knocks a perfect opportunity to showcase his scouting acumen as he rebuilds the Bears into a contender. It would be interesting to hear what went into his decision-making process this off-season and how analytics played a role in it.
Second, Matt Eberflus has already been through Hard Knocks, as a defensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts back in 2021, when they became the first team to be featured during the regular season. Having someone, who already has gone through "Hard Knocks" is a huge asset that can help the Chicago Bears navigate the whole process. It is also interesting to see him as a husband and a father when he is not at Halas Hall, and how his H.I.T.S. philosophy was born, and how has it evolved throughout the years.
Third, the Bears hired former Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren as their new team president and CEO, replacing long-time president Ted Philips in April. He has been seen attending the graduation ceremony of Cole Kmet and Justin Fields and has been far more visible in his short tenure than Phillips, who was bashed by both media and fans in his entire tenure as a team president.
His hiring is a game changer both on and off the field and it certainly deserves a segment on his career, and his effort to find a new stadium deal with recent news of them entering a discussion with Naperville rather than solely focusing on Arlington Heights.
And finally, there is Justin Fields. Last year, he provide fans with electrifying runs, but entering his third season, doubts continue to persist about him becoming a legitimate passer. We all know he has strong leadership qualities and a tremendous work ethic. Seeing his training regime and his effort to become a more effective passer, along with how he and newly acquired D.J. Moore are building chemistry on and off the field would be a must-watch television where both his traits would shine.
Also, let's not forget the following storylines involving these players:
Darnell Mooney's return from a fractured ankle and quest for a long-term contract. Chase Claypool entering the 2023 season with a chip on his shoulder. Who's going to be a leader on the defense after a historically bad season? What will the edge rusher position look like entering the training camp?
The Chicago Bears have a strong national following and they deserve to be in the spotlight. And Hard Knocks will get access to behind-the-scenes that fans, especially those who live outside of Chicago, crave. No matter how much George (or Virginia) relents, the NFL will ultimately have the final say. If selected, the Bears organization needs to embrace the opportunity.