NFL can force Bears, Broncos, or Saints into 'Hard Knocks' for 2024 training camp

The NFL can force three different teams to do Hard Knocks this coming summer based on the league’s criteria for the show.

Right now, it’s the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints based on the rules. As of now, one of those three teams will be on the HBO series unless another team volunteers for the show, which generally doesn’t happen.

There are three different rules regarding the criteria that can force a team onto Hard Knocks.

The criteria is that the teams don’t have a first-year head coach, they didn’t make the playoffs in either of the last two years, and they haven’t appeared on Hard Knocks in the last 10 years.

There is an interesting wrinkle since the NFL added an in-season version of Hard Knocks over the last couple of seasons.

“The teams that have done Hard Knocks in the last 10 years are Miami, New York Jets, Arizona, Detroit, Indianapolis, Dallas, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Houston and Atlanta,” Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk wrote. “(The NFL confirmed to PFT that the three teams that have done in-season Hard Knocks, Miami, Arizona and Indianapolis, are exempt).”

Will Hard Knocks feature rookie QB Caleb Williams?

If the Bears end up being selected as the team to do Hard Knocks, it could feature Caleb Williams. The former USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner is who Mel Kiper would draft if he were the Bears.

That would replace former first round pick Justin Fields, who just wrapped up Year 3 in the NFL out of Ohio State.

“If you trade Justin Fields to Atlanta, you could get the 8th pick overall. So you have 1, 8 and 9 and be able to recoup a second-round pick by trading down with one of those two picks,” Kiper said. “So a lot of maneuverability for the Bears. … But if it’s me, I’m taking Caleb Williams No. 1 and trading Justin Fields.”

He recently wrote this about Williams in his big board breakdown: “Williams is a fabulous playmaker, and there are “wow” throws all over his tape, even going back to his freshman season at Oklahoma. He’s incredible escaping the pocket and making off-platform throws, excelling when plays break down. His improvisational skills are off the charts.”

While the Bears have options at No. 1, Kiper is clear about which direction he thinks Chicago should go.