NFL changes rules for teams to appear on HBO's Hard Knocks

Hard Knocks usually points to football getting closer. Every single offseason, HBO provides people at home an inside look at one team throughout training camp. Having highs and lows during each episode, it’s a staple of every football fan’s summer.

In the past, rules as to which teams are eligible to be on the show have been strict. But heading into the 2025 season, they have been softened a bit. There are more main guidelines when making the decision as one has been thrown out by the league.

The term “non-playoff” is no longer in there, meaning teams who have recently participated in the postseason can feature. Here is the full list of rules via SI’s Albert Breer.

• Does not have a first-year head coach
• Is not a member of the division to be featured in Hard Knocks: In Season for such upcoming season or a member of the division to be featured in the immediately subsequent season
• Has not been featured in Hard Knocks: Training Camp in the previous eight (8) seasons
• Is no then exempt from selection based on such Club’s participation in Hard Knocks or a similar access show prior to the 2024 pursuant to parameters that existed at the time of such Club’s prior participation

At the time of posting, a final list of teams eligible for Hard Knocks: Training Camp has yet to be finalized. The Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, and Tennessee Titans would have been candidates in previous seasons.

When looking at the divisions, the AFC North was followed by HBO. Those four are now safe from appearing in this year’s training camp version.

Jason Kelce makes absurd comparison when discussing Tush Push

Jason Kelce is very experienced with the “tush push” play, being the centerpiece (no pun intended) of the hybrid QB sneak play. The former Philadelphia Eagles center didn’t have to deal with it in 2024 during his first year of retirement.

With the play on the cusp of being banned, although that issue has been tabled for now, Kelce made an absurd comparison of what the tush push is like. When you think about it, it might not be that absurd.

Kelce’s been on record that despite the play being borderline unstoppable, it’s quite a hassle to run it as often as the Eagles did. As long as the play is still allowed, Jalen Hurts and the entire offensive line will still run it, but perhaps feel the same way as Kelce.

“It’s more of a grueling play of, like, you gotta take a (expletive) and it just won’t come out,” Kelce said on New Heights. “You’re just squeezing forever, until that thing comes out. That’s what it’s like. That’s what’s grueling about it.”

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report