Hard Knocks in-season series to focus on AFC North teams

Unlike seasons past, the HBO Hard Knocks crew is teaming up with the NFL this year to share the stories of not one team in-season, but of four divisional rivals. On Monday, news broke via Aaron Wilson that Hard Knocks’ in-season series will focus on the AFC North race between the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals.

It’s an intriguing choice for the behind-the-scenes documentary as the division features four teams that were all above .500 last season. The AFC North also brings the allure with three of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks, as well as a quarterback battle between two former starters in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields with the Steelers.

The in-season series will debut on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. ET on Max. It will air regularly on Tuesday through the end of the regular season and throughout the NFL playoffs.

The HBO Hard Knocks crew will begin filming the Ravens, Browns, Steelers and Bengals after following the Chicago Bears’ preseason journey. After drafting a new franchise quarterback with their No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears are a hard team to beat in terms of potential preseason drama.

Caleb Williams ‘well-suited’ for Hard Knocks

For the last four years, Caleb Williams has been squarely in the spotlight. The former five-star recruit generated plenty of excitement at Oklahoma before winning the Heisman Trophy at USC and, ultimately, becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

That excitement is going to keep growing ahead of his rookie season with the Chicago Bears, especially since his first training camp will have cameras everywhere. The NFL selected the Bears for this year’s edition of “Hard Knocks” after an exciting offseason, meaning HBO will give fans an all-access pass to Williams’ first professional training camp.

After the news came out, Matt Eberflus sounded more than confident Williams can handle it all considering everything he did in college – both on and off the field.

“I do,” Eberflus said. “I really do. … And I do think he’s suited for that because he’s comfortable in his own skin. He knows who he is and he’s been out there for several years in terms of in the media, in the focus, Heisman winner. All those things that he’s done. He’ll be good.”

Williams was just one of the notable additions for the Bears. They also drafted wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick and brought in Keenan Allen via trade to join a room with D.J. Moore after his 1,000-yard season. D’Andre Swift is also in the mix as general manager Ryan Poles added playmakers with new coordinator Shane Waldron coming in.

It seemed like the Bears were trending to get the “Hard Knocks” nod for some time even despite previous comments from chairman George McCaskey. Now, it’s happening, with the first episode dropping Aug. 6.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.