NFL taps Bills for 'Hard Knocks' debut during training camp. NFC East as featured in-season division
Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Landon Jackson (94) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The reigning NFL MVP will be a featured attraction this season on the league's training camp documentary, with the Buffalo Bills making their first appearance on 'Hard Knocks.'
The New York Giants will get another shot, too, after their uncomfortable debut.
Advertisement
The NFL announced Wednesday at the spring owners meetings that the Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, were selected for the behind-the-scenes show on HBO that's in its 25th year. The five-part series will air on Tuesdays beginning on Aug. 5.
The NFC East was also picked as the featured division on the in-season show, with filming of the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles set to air in December. The league reached a new multi-year deal with HBO to continue to broadcast the show.
The Bills, who hold their training camp off-site at St. John Fisher University outside of Rochester, New York, have entered their ninth year under head coach Sean McDermott. Still seeking their first championship, having not appeared in the Super Bowl since their fourth consecutive loss following the 1993 season, the Bills have won five straight AFC East titles and qualified for the playoffs in seven of the past eight years.
Allen has been a driver of that success, entering his eighth season and coming off his first MVP award. The Bills return a majority of their offense from a team that finished second in the NFL in scoring in the 2024 season. They retooled their defense, starting with the addition in free agency of edge rusher Joey Bosa.
Advertisement
The NFL revamped its rules last year around 'Hard Knocks' appearances, previously allowing teams that made the playoffs within the previous two seasons to decline to participate. Such an opt-out is no longer an option. Teams now ineligible for selection include those with a first-year head coach, those that have appeared on the training camp version of the show in the past eight seasons, and those picked for the in-season version focusing on one division.
The Chicago Bears were a first-time 'Hard Knocks' participant last season during training camp. HBO and co-producer NFL Films last year added the in-season show, filming around the four AFC North teams, and an offseason version that premiered — and perhaps ended — with a focus on the Giants.
The awkward goodbye between running back Saquon Barkley and general manager Joe Schoen was a prominent part of that series, which has so far not been renewed.
Barkley, who signed with the rival Eagles and went on to win the Super Bowl, later complained that his side of the conversation with Schoen was recorded and aired without his consent.
Advertisement
Schoen's informing Barkley that the Giants would not make him a contract offer or put the franchise tag on him and thus let him become a free agent became a must-see scene, along with a pained reaction from owner John Mara about losing a popular player.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: Tight end depth charts for every team for 2025
Our fantasy football depth charts are intended to provide managers with insight into the players who are expected to earn starting roles and the backups who are next in line in the event of an injury or ongoing poor performances. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] The aim of fantasy depth charts is to reflect a combination of current rosters and projected fantasy value. When news breaks it will be reflected here, so make sure to check back throughout the summer for the latest updates. Fantasy Depth Charts Quarterbacks Running Backs Wide Receivers Tight Ends Tight Ends Fantasy Depth Charts Quarterbacks Running Backs Wide Receivers Tight Ends
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why did Micah Parsons demand a trade?
WHEW. It's been a Friday in the NFL, my friends. Things were already tense when it came to stud pass-rusher Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys, thanks to the do-it-all EDGE's demand for a new contract with 2026 free agency looming. But then? It exploded. MORE ON MICAH PARSONS: There was an initial report from The Athletic's Dianna Russini about how the "relationship has deteriorated to the point where the star pass rusher is considering drastic measures which could include a trade request or even a declaration that he is severing his relationship with the team." Then? It happened. He demanded a trade in a lengthy letter posted on X (formerly Twitter). So: What the heck happened here? Let's discuss: Micah Parsons' contract situation He's set to make over $24 million this year, but given the long list of his accomplishments, Parsons wants a new contract that will pay him what he deserves before he hits free agency. It's that simple. Jerry Jones' comments probably didn't help He took a random shot at Parsons before camp started. Micah Parsons still wanted to be with the Cowboys ... That is, until now. Will Jerry Jones and the Cowboys give in and trade Micah Parsons? Or will they give into his contract demands? Pure speculation here: Feels like this is one of those cases where Parsons has made his move, and maybe Jones realizes he could no longer play around and could offer a sizeable new deal. But if Parsons is truly done with the Cowboys? Let the phone calls to the front office begin! This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Micah Parsons requested a trade?
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NFL on the verge of selling media assets to ESPN for an equity stake in the network, AP source says
The NFL and ESPN are expected to announce an agreement next week under which most of the league's significant media holdings will go to the sports network. People familiar with the transaction said the multibillion-dollar deal would give the NFL an equity stake in ESPN. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized. It was first reported by The Athletic. The NFL and ESPN had no comment. The NFL has been trying to sell its media properties for nearly five years. ESPN and the league have been involved in on-again, off-again talks for the past three years. The proposed move comes as ESPN is expected to soon launch its direct-to-consumer service, likely before the end of August. The service would give cord cutters access to all of ESPN's programs and networks for $29.99 per month. Most cable, satellite and viewers who have streaming services will receive the service for free as part of their subscription. ESPN would get access to the popular RedZone channel, as well as NFL Network and an additional seven regular-season games (six international and a Saturday afternoon late-season contest). A couple of weeks ago, ESPN announced that NFL Network host Rich Eisen's three-hour program would air on ESPN Radio as well as stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. 'The Rich Eisen Show' is not affiliated with NFL Network. ESPN has carried NFL games since 1987 and 'Monday Night Football' since 2006. Under the current TV contract, it will have the 2027 and 2031 Super Bowls for the first time. NFL Network started in November 2003 and was the second major pro league to have its own network. NBA TV started in 1999, MLB Network in 2009 and NHL Network in the United States in 2007. ___ AP NFL:
