The Chicago Bears Hard Knocks dodge campaign over the past decade or so has been masterful. While the McCaskey ownership hasn’t done everything right during that span, they’ve certainly showcased their ability to keep their team away from unnecessary distractions. They likely celebrated again this offseason when news hit that the Oakland Raiders would be the next franchise to appear on the award-winning HBO series. Something football fans, in general, were likely thrilled about.
The Bears were able to avoid it last year because they had a new head coach in Matt Nagy. That is one of the three keys that allow certain teams to avoid it. This season they fulfilled a different one, having made the playoffs last year. The third and final one is the team has already appeared on the series in the past 10 years. So under the current rules, the Bears can continue to keep the cameras out of their locker rooms provided they make the postseason every other year.
However, all of that may be about to change. According to Albert Breer of the MMQB, there is a strong push in league circles to make changes to the Hard Knocks format. The biggest one being the removal of all parameters for who has to participate.
“My sense is that the concern would be “Hard Knocks” getting stale after all these years—and as all of you well know, the league likes to get in front of those sorts of things. And another thing that was discussed (that I’m sure coaches will love) was the potential elimination of parameters around who the league can mandate to do “Hard Knocks,” which allow the NFL to make anyone do it.”
Chicago Bears Hard Knocks would almost certainly top any list
There is no question what the end game is here. The NFL undoubtedly wants to start getting the bigger market franchises involved with this program That includes the Patriots, Giants, and of course the Bears. The allure of Chicago being on the program, especially now, must be huge. There the charismatic coach in Nagy and the bevy of standout personalities like Akiem Hicks, Anthony Miller, Tarik Cohen, and Eddie Jackson.
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Not to mention the hot button topics like the maturation of Mitch Trubisky. It is a rich pool that is certain to grab attention. Hence why one can expect the McCaskeys to be resistant to any changes in the current format. For the first time in a decade, this team has a chance to win a Super Bowl. No team that has ever been on Hard Knocks has ever reached one, during or since. That is true. One might call it cursed.
