The AFC North is steeped in all sort of Hard Knocks history. HBO’s groundbreaking documentary series that initially only gave us glimpses of the behind-the-scenes of NFL training camps has since expanded. They gave us an inaugural offseason addition this year with the Giants, and have treated us more recently to in-season versions of the show in addition to the typical training camp fare.
Last season’s Mike McDaniel-driven spectacle that followed the Miami Dolphins was going to be hard to top. Thankfully, HBO had the wherewithal to realize, “Oh yeah, we have four of the most intriguing teams in all of football in one division, why not cover all of them!?” And just like that, the AFC North version of Hard Knocks in Season was born, as confirmed on Monday via multiple sources.
Hard Knocks in-season will debut on December 3rd, covering the entire AFC North: pic.twitter.com/SxXl9XtvLU
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 17, 2024
Asserting that the AFC North is the best division in football isn’t a personal opinion. It’s a fact. Or at least that’s how I view any statement by my beloved Cincinnati Bengals’ head coach, Zac Taylor.
“We don’t think — we know — this is the best division in football." – Zac Taylor#HardKnocks In-Season with the AFC North premieres December 3 on Max!
📰: https://t.co/AyPW2IaLPE | #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/rIiiIBiuWg
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) June 17, 2024
As Joe Burrow has said, the Bengals are built to beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs when he’s healthy. Burrow’s 2023 campaign was marred by injuries, first a strained calf and then a combusted wrist ligament. Cincinnati still managed to go 9-8, which was only good for last place in the division.
Joey B’s revenge SZN is the mere tip of the iceberg as far as intriguing AFC North subplots go. Couldn’t be more excited for the Bengals to be featured, though in terms of on-camera gold, this group will be hard-pressed to beat the likes of Marvin Lewis, Chad Johnson/Ochocinco and those teams of yesteryear.
The Bengals have been featured on Hard Knocks twice before (2009 and 2013). Both years, they won the AFC North.
This moment always stuck with me. The cold open to episode 4 in 2009. pic.twitter.com/xNRiOLTBUN
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) June 17, 2024
Last time gave us some gems, can't wait to see what we get this time 😂#HardKnocks In-Season with the AFC North premieres December 3 on @StreamOnMax! pic.twitter.com/DvOBj1Zcf9
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) June 17, 2024
Let’s next touch on the Steelers. They have one of the most charismatic, quirky leaders in all of sports in Mike Tomlin. They have a formerly charismatic/definitely quirky quarterback in Russell Wilson who has one last shot at a starting gig. Tomlin has never had a losing record in a single season as Pittsburgh’s coach. That’ll be put to the test in 2024.
I’m on record regarding Mike Tomlin. This is the most important Steelers season in 10 years.
From back in March: pic.twitter.com/kpGcXUtYet
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) June 10, 2024
STEELERS COUNTRY, LET’S RIDE.
Russell Wilson: “I feel the fountain of youth. I feel revived in every way — mentally, emotionally, spiritually.” pic.twitter.com/Do63mvzqx7
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) June 11, 2024
Fresh off his latest playoff disappointment, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson lost out on $750,000 by skipping the Ravens’ offseason workouts. Lamar is the man, but you’d think he’d try to get every single rep in possible with his teammates in the midst of such a hotly contested division and conference. I doubt reps in the spring will come back to haunt Lamar. That said, there’s maybe no single player in the NFL under more pressure to win a Lombardi Trophy in the next one to two years.
Baltimore was the first team ever featured on Hard Knocks. Gotta throw it back with this clip of Shannon Sharpe.
In honor of the Ravens being on Hard Knocks, throwback to this CLASSIC pic.twitter.com/h3DS8BmZq9
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 17, 2024
Seeing how Lamar operates behind the scenes and how he carries himself through adversity will be some of the most compelling television of the calendar year.
Last but not least — actually, not sure about that — are the Cleveland Browns. They have a deplorable human being in Deshaun Watson as their QB. He’s been a colossal disappointment as a player since arriving in Cleveland. Good thing the Browns didn’t retain Joe Flacco, because if Watson struggled early in ’24, the dawg pound would be clamoring for the veteran gunslinger to hit the field in Deshaun’s stead.
If the Browns return to the playoffs, they may knock out one of their three divisional adversaries, and with Watson under center, become the ultimate villain to everyone outside of Cleveland and their general fandom.
Not to just dump on the Browns, because they didn’t choose Watson. They were entertaining as hell the last time they had Hard Knocks, during Baker Mayfield’s rookie season. Offensive line coach Bob Wylie was a breakout star.
The last time the Browns were on Hard Knocks this happened… pic.twitter.com/OYp0MOqYgU
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 17, 2024
Damarious Randall’s attempt to say “testosterone” is the greatest Hard Knocks clip of all-time in my eyes, other than maybe Rex Ryan’s snack rant.
son i'm crying at Damarious Randall's attempt to say testosterone lmaoooooo pic.twitter.com/tA59ntBuva
— mans like b (@manslikeb_) August 22, 2018
I think just like they do on the field when they beat the living snot out of each other in head-to-head matchups, the AFC North will rise to the occasion as a collective. I’m approximately 98% certain they’ll give us one of the most memorable Hard Knocks sagas to date.
Is it football season yet??
