Hard Knocks is the annual show that airs on HBO where camera crews follow the team around during their training camps. In recent years, we have seen teams such as the Bengals, Dolphins, Jets, Cowboys, etc. get the spotlight, and since the Jets were given the stage in 2010, the show hasn’t been all that great.
This year, the Steelers are one of the eight teams in the league who can be forced by the NFL to be on the show. I know it sounds odd that a team can be “forced” onto the show, but there is a reason why the Steelers are among the list of teams that qualify. The other seven teams are the Cardinals, Rams, Bears, Giants, Jaguars, Raiders, and Bills. This the the first year that these rules are in play for why a team can be forced to let cameras into their locker rooms and practices, and teams are eligible for the show if they:
- Do not have a new head coach
- Have not made the playoffs in the past two seasons
- Have not been on the show in the past ten years
The NFL and HBO were having trouble finding teams interested which is the main reason they added these rules. When brought up on Twitter, the main response is that “The Rooney’s would never let that happen.” False. I don’t know how true this is, but I definitely remember hearing multiple times a few years back that the Rooney’s were on board with being on Hard Knocks, and it was ultimately Bill Cowher who talked them out of it. Nowadays, for some reason, the Rooney’s and coaching staff don’t have a say in it, which sounds a little ridiculous, but that’s what happens now that the the owners passed a new rule back in October.
If I had to guess, the Steelers are one of the leading candidates of those eight teams to be chosen. With the exception of the Giants, the other six teams would not bring nearly as big of ratings in, and the Steelers massive fan base would contribute to a successful season of Hard Knocks this upcoming year. Also, with all the drama that went down this past season, it would make sense that the Steelers could be chosen.
So what do you think? Would you like to see the Steelers on next year’s season of HBO Hard Knocks. Let us know!
