The makers of the NFL documentary “Hard Knocks” still haven’t announced which team they want to follow in this year’s preseason. Apparently, a stopgap solution could be another edition with the Detroit Lions

Still no word on which NFL team will be featured in this year’s edition of the documentary “Hard Knocks” on “HBO”. Now, apparently, an unusual solution is in the offing.

As the newspaper “The Detroit News” reports, the broadcaster is considering a renewed cooperation with the Detroit Lions. The team from Michigan was the focus of the preseason edition of the series only last year.

Due to the great success of last year’s production with the Lions, “HBO” can imagine a continuation, according to the report. The authenticity of the series, which focused particularly on Dan Campbell’s coaching team, was well received by fans.

Participation in “Hard Knocks” paid off for Detroit Lions

“I knew we were one of three or four teams, and I called and said if we get picked, I guarantee we’ll do a good job,” Lions president Rod Wood told the Detroit Free Press.

The Lions were just coming off a 3-13 season in 2022, Wood said they had hoped to “get some energy” from participating. Apparently with success: the Lions were one of the up-and-comers of the NFL season and just missed the playoffs.

Starting the week off right

– Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 12, 2023

However, it is unclear if the Lions would participate in production for a second straight year. Not in the offseason anyway, but not during the season either. The Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals, who have been followed during the season the past two years, serve as their warning.

“With the two teams that did it the past two years, it didn’t pan out. Both coaches are gone,” Wood said.

Four teams would be eligible under NFL criteria

The NFL cannot force the Lions to participate again. Three criteria would have to be met: no head coach in the first year, no playoff participation in the past two years and – and this excludes the Lions from a commitment – no participation in “Hard Knocks” in the past ten years.

Measured against these three criteria, only four teams are eligible: the Chicago Bears, the New Orleans Saints, the Washington Commanders and the New York Jets. However, no agreement has yet been reached with all four teams.