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Last year, the Detroit Lions were the featured team on the behind-the-scenes documentary, “Hard Knocks”. The HBO series documenting training camp with the players and coaches annually picks one team to focus on, and it’s a can’t-miss peer behind the veil of the NFL.
The Lions actively campaigned to be the feature team in 2022, and their appearance was very well-received by fans in both Detroit and around the league. But they won’t be making a repeat appearance.
According to John Niyo of the Detroit News, NFL Films approached the Lions about potentially appearing on Hard Knocks in 2023. However, the team indicated at the owner’s meetings they aren’t interested in another appearance.
NFL Films still hasn’t selected the subject team for 2023. The Lions technically are ineligible to appear, though those rules would certainly be altered if both parties thought it was beneficial. There are four teams that meet the primary criteria: no coaching change, no postseason in two seasons, and no Hard Knocks appearance within the last 10 years.
The teams who meet all three criteria are the Bears, Commanders, Jets and Saints. Typically the subject team is decided before the NFL draft, so the announcement is behind schedule.
An inquiry for confirmation with NFL Films has not yet received a response.
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