We are about a month away from training camp and still do not know which team will be featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks. Four teams that can be forced onto the show—the Bears, Commanders, Jets, and Saints—do not want to appear, and it’s become a tough situation. For reference, the Lions were announced as the 2022 Hard Knocks team last March, so we’re near three months past that announcement for this year. With that in mind, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday picks the ten most intriguing teams to appear on the show this summer among all 32 teams.
10. Carolina Panthers
No. 1 pick Bryce Young out of Alabama is a highly intriguing and magical type of quarterback, and it would be nice to get an inside look at the Heisman Trophy winner taking over for Carolina. The Panthers have an exciting roster with defensive stars like Brian Burns and Derrick Brown, and the revamped receiving group—with D.J. Chark, Adam Thielen, and rookie Jonathan Mingo joining Terrace Marshall Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr.—is a situation to keep an eye on.
9. New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr trades the silver and black for gold and black after signing with the Saints this offseason, and a Saints Hard Knocks would give insight on the veteran quarterback’s progression with his new team. We’d also be able to get a look at the status of former All-Pro Michael Thomas, who has essentially had his past two seasons wiped out due to injury; the running back situation with Alvin Kamara potentially facing a suspension; and the emergence of second-year receiver Chris Olave. Additionally, controversial Super Bowl-winning head coach and Carr’s former coach Jon Gruden has worked with New Orleans this offseason, so that would be a massive storyline if he were to contribute during camp.
8. Denver Broncos
Sean Payton brings a very high profile as the longtime successful coach of the Saints jumping back into coaching after one year off, and he’ll be tasked with getting Russell Wilson and Denver right after a disastrous 2022. Giving a look at Wilson’s work ethic could help him gain the respect he should get from fans as one of the game’s top signal callers for many years. The Denver receiving group and pecking order is up in the air right now, but Hard Knocks would give some clarity there as well—which fantasy football players in particular might be happy about.
7. Baltimore Ravens
Former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson is a dynamic player and personality, and while he might be someone that tries to stay away from the HBO cameras, that might make for a comical situation and “game” of trying to stay away. The primary focus of a Ravens season of Hard Knocks would be on the new offense under coordinator Todd Monken, as it’ll be a more wide-open attack that Jackson can also thrive in.
+ WR Odell Beckham Jr.
+ WR Zay Flowers
+ WR Nelson Agholor
+ OC Todd MonkenLamar Jackson is looking to go off this season. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xl2Nau3OUf
— Wolf Sports (@wolfsports) May 4, 2023
6. Miami Dolphins
The veteran additions continued with the acquisition of All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and the training camp matchups between Ramsey and Xavien Howard against Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should be a blast in South Florida. The Dolphins are Super Bowl hopefuls this season, Tua Tagovailoa is entering Year 2 in Mike McDaniel’s offense after a ton of success when he was on the field last season, and McDaniel is one of the best “characters” among head coaches in the league.
5. Buffalo Bills
The story for the Bills would be one that is looking to get to the top of the game, with one of the NFL’s most talented players in superstar quarterback Josh Allen and a very good roster. The recent Stefon Diggs situation (that is said to be “resolved”), Von Miller’s return from an ACL tear, and the acclimation of first-round tight end Dalton Kincaid on offense would be among the top storylines to follow for Buffalo.
4. New York Jets
Many people want to see the Jets on Hard Knocks after they traded for four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, forming an interesting combination with a roster that has young stars like Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall (coming off a torn ACL), and Sauce Gardner—while also bringing in some Rodgers favorites in Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. We’d get a look at how the offense comes together, as well as the status of former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson playing the backup role while learning from Rodgers.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The pitch would be easy for the Eagles on Hard Knocks: How do you get back up after a crushing Super Bowl defeat, avoiding a “hangover”? The Eagles have a premier leader in Jalen Hurts to ensure there is no drop off from last season, and he could help the team handle the attention that comes with being on the show. HBO heading to Philadelphia would give viewers a look at the elite A.J. Brown-DeVonta Smith wide receiver duo; the “Philly Dawgs” that added Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo to the mix; and a stacked roster overall.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are a fun team with plenty of engaging personalities including George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Nick Bosa. Both sides of the ball have the potential to be top-notch, and we’d be able to see the squad go to work while looking to finally get over the hump and win it all. But what makes San Francisco stand out as a top choice to be on Hard Knocks this summer is the status of second-year quarterback Brock Purdy returning from his elbow injury—along with the competition between two former No. 3 picks in Trey Lance and Sam Darnold while Purdy is out of action.
1. Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell.
No seriously, the Lions delivered a much-needed excellent season of Hard Knocks last summer, and it could be cool to have a continuation ahead of the 2023 season. Detroit has its highest expectations in years, and they’re even playing in the NFL’s season opener against the defending champion Chiefs. They appear to have made superb additions this offseason, including first-round picks running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell, and can make a push to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVIII.