The Washington Commanders are one of four NFL teams that fit the criteria to be required to host the 2023 version of HBO’s Hard Knocks, which covers a team’s training camp and preseason. The other three teams — the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears have been vocal against being chosen.
While the Commanders would welcome the show, the NFL prefers to wait until after the league finalizes the team’s sale, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
July 20 has been the projected date that NFL owners could ratify the sale of the Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris. With the sale expected to be done by the start of the 2023 regular season, the Commanders can be the subject of the Hard Knocks In Season.
The Jets are bracing to host the preseason version of Hard Knocks, per Florio. That’s despite Jets head coach Robert Saleh speaking out against the idea.
There has been a push from fans for the Commanders to be the subject. Yet the league preferring to see ownership change and avoid giving positive publicity to Snyder makes a lot of sense. Waiting should be better for the NFL and the fans.
Watching the Commanders play out its season may be more entertaining for Washington fans. Of course, being part of the preseason version would give insight into training camp. Fans would get to see the development of second-year quarterback Sam Howell, who expects to be Washington’s Week 1 starter. However, watching fourth-year head coach Ron Rivera navigate in a make-or-break season may be more exciting. Also, fans would get a bird’s eye view of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
News of the league leaning toward the Jets may be bad for some Commanders fans. Yet waiting until after the sale and the start of the regular season is better news.
