HBO, NFL Films, and Skydance Sports are introducing a groundbreaking addition to their acclaimed series “Hard Knocks,” with the New York Giants featured in the show’s first-ever offseason edition.
This new twist will allow viewers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Giants’ preparations from January through July 2024, capturing everything from the NFL Scouting Combine to free agency and the NFL Draft.
The anticipation for this novel iteration was heightened when Max released a promotional trailer on Tuesday, setting the stage for the show’s premiere on July 2.
This series aims to provide a detailed look at the strategic moves of Giants general manager Joe Schoen and his team as they navigate the critical offseason period.
Despite a challenging 6-11 season in 2023, the Giants’ offseason has been notably eventful. The team experienced a significant loss when star running back Saquon Barkley moved to a division rival during free agency.
Additionally, there’s been considerable speculation about Daniel Jones’ future as the team’s starting quarterback, especially after the acquisition of Drew Lock. Amidst widespread rumors of potential draft strategies, the Giants chose to stay with their sixth pick, selecting LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers.
Ross Ketover, a senior executive at NFL Films, expressed pride in the expansion of the “Hard Knocks” franchise, stating, “We are incredibly proud that ‘Hard Knocks’ is widely thought of as one of the most successful and entertaining unscripted sports franchises ever produced. To be able to expand on the ‘Hard Knocks’ universe, and with an elite franchise in the Giants as they celebrate their 100th season, is a privilege for all of us at NFL Films.”
While fans eagerly await the new offseason series, the traditional “Hard Knocks” that follows teams during training camp will also continue later this summer. The specific team for this year’s training camp edition has yet to be announced. Last year, the New York Jets were the focus, selected by default under NFL rules as no other team volunteered. Possible candidates for this year’s edition could be the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, or New Orleans Saints, as they are eligible to be selected if no other team steps forward.
Additionally, an exciting development for the franchise is the adaptation of an in-season version of “Hard Knocks” started in 2021, which initially followed a single team during the latter part of the regular season. Moving forward in 2024, NFL owners have approved a new format that will allow the show to cover an entire division during the season.
The debut of this new offseason “Hard Knocks” series promises to enrich the viewing experience with deeper insights and expanded storytelling, starting on July 2, with new episodes airing every subsequent Tuesday through July 30. This evolution of the series marks an exciting chapter for both “Hard Knocks” and NFL fans alike.
