Watching an obviously competent head coach is a rarity on “Hard Knocks.” In the 17 seasons an individual team has been featured – the show didn’t air from 2003-06, and a highlights edition from previous seasons aired in ’11 — there have been far more coaches that came across as overmatched or underwhelming than those …

Are NFL teams required to do Hard Knocks?

That’s per an agreement between the NFL and its 32 teams regarding eligibility for the show: Since 2014, franchises are not required to be included as potential “Hard Knocks” participants if they 1.) have a first-year head coach, 2.) have made the playoffs in the last two seasons, or 3.) have appeared on the show in …

Who can be forced to do Hard Knocks?

That means only five teams are eligible for for 2021 duty: the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and New York Giants.