It was an eventful week for the Chicago Bears, as they were announced as this year’s featured team on the hit HBO reality series “Hard Knocks.” The Bears will make their debut on the series this summer, which follows one NFL team throughout their training camp and preseason.
“Hard Knocks” has been a staple for the better part of 20 years, but it elicits strong reactions from fans, players, and coaches. On one hand, NFL fans enjoy the extra access to how a team operates and learning more about their favorite players. On the other hand, teams themselves may not like the extra attention and feel the series is a distraction as they’re preparing for the upcoming season.
The Bears are entering a new era, led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and a number of new playmakers and coaches who are tasked with getting Chicago back to the postseason. Could “Hard Knocks” become a distraction for them and hurt their chances for success in the regular season? We decided to look at all of the teams that participated in the training camp series and how their seasons turned out.
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The series began with the Baltimore Ravens, who were coming off their first Super Bowl victory. They didn’t reach the same heights in 2001, but still managed to make the postseason and win a playoff game.
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The Cowboys struggled in Emmitt Smith’s final season in Dallas, which led to major changes the following offseason.
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After a five-year hiatus, “Hard Knocks” returned in Kansas City. The Chiefs were coming off a solid season in which they made the playoffs, but bottomed out the next year after undergoing major roster changes.
Jan 3, 2021; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys helmets are heated on the benches against the New York Giants in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Hopes were high for the Cowboys after they went 13-3 the year prior. So high, in fact, that they became the first repeat team for Hard Knocks. They couldn’t live up to expectations, however.
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The 2009 Bengals were the first team to win their division after being featured on the reality series.
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The 2010 Jets produced…
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