USA Today
Knocking Down Bears Chances for HBO Show
If Ian Rapoport's read on the situation is correct, George McCaskey can rest at ease.
Rapoport, NFL Network's insider, on the Pat McAfee Show reported people within the Jets organization would like to see the team featured on HBO's Hard Knocks.
The behind-the-scenes look at training camp would be ideal in New York because of the presence of Aaron Rodgers with a team suddenly thrust into the role of playoff challenger after a disappointing finish to 2022. The Bears are a team eligible but board chairman George McCaskey has expressed opposition.
Jets coach Robert Saleh has also expressed opposition to the show but it may not matter.
"Let's just say there are some higher ups with the Jets, who if they were on 'Hard Knocks,' would not be very upset by it," Rapoport said as a guest on The Pat McAfee Show. "I think the business people and really high-up people with the Jets, all the way up to ownership would probably be pretty psyched about it."
Rapoport stressed he does not know who HBO is going to choose but characterized Jets chances as a "...pretty decent possibility."
This mutual interest within the Jets organization, if accurate, could be enough to steer HBO clear of Halas Hall.
The Saints and Commanders are the other teams eligible. Teams are eligible if they don't have a new head coach, have not made the playoffs in the last two years or have been on the show in the last decade. The Bears have never been on it.
Rapoport did also tell McAfee: "The Jets don't need any more publicity. They're going to get it from our network and other networks, largely because of your friend Aaron Rodgers."
Rodgers appears regularly on McAfee's show. It's where he announced he expected to be playing with the Jets this year.
Considering how the show looks for anything out of the ordinary and stresses non-football situations, Rodgers and the New York limelight seem a natural while the Bears, as a young team rebuilding, seem like one of the last subjects the show would want to target. Other than Justin Fields and the fact they have been around since the league formed, there seems to be no other draw for HBO. The Commanders' ownership situation and lack of an established quarterback make them less interesting.
The Saints, though, have not expressed opposition to the idea and have a new QB themselves in Derek Carr.
The subject of the show is often known by now but has been announced as late as the first week of July in the past.
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven
