Each offseason, NFL Films teams up with HBO Sports to follow a team through training camp, producing a show dubbed “Hard Knocks.” It’s an entertaining show for fans but super-secretive NFL teams would prefer to keep their methods and practices behind closed doors.
No teams volunteer for the show so the league made some rules that make certain teams exempt from appearing on “Hard Knocks.” Teams that have (1) a new head coach or (2) have a playoff berth within the last two years or (3) have appeared on the show within the last decade are not eligible.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio will be entering his second season in 2020, Denver hasn’t made the playoffs in five years and the team has never appeared on “Hard Knocks” before. That makes them one of five teams that are eligible to be forced to appear on the show in 2020, joining the Steelers, Lions, Jaguars and Cardinals.
Arizona and Denver are probably the two most intriquing options given their promising young QBs. The Cardinals have Kyler Murray and the Broncos have Drew Lock. Charles Curtis of USA TODAY’s For The Win ranked the five eligible teams by watchability and Denver came in at No. 1.
The Broncos have been approached about potentially “volunteering” for the show in the past and turned down the opportunity. If approached again this year, Denver won’t be allowed to say no.
