NEWSLETTER
BOOM! It’s happening.
The Chicago Bears are going to be the subject of the 2024 installment of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series. This has been a long time coming for the Bears, who are set to make their HBO debut on August 6. The same can be said about Bears fans, who have been publicly pining for the TV show’s cameras to shine a spotlight on their favorite football team. There has been ample pushback over the years by the franchise, which has dodged being on the series at so many different turns over the years. But now, the time has come to step into the limelight.
So … what are the biggest names on the Bears saying about their upcoming “Hard Knocks” appearance? Let’s hear from the head coach, general manager, and team president (via the Bears’ official website).
Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus on Hard Knocks
“Our players, coaches and staff are excited to continue the process of building for the 2024 season.”
To say Matt Eberflus has a bunch of new coaches on his staff feels like an understatement. Remember, Eberflus jettisoned nearly all of the team’s offensive staff after the 2023 season came to a close. But with two new coordinators (Shane Waldron, Eric Washington) and a new quarterbacks coach (Kerry Joseph) in tow, this could be the breath of fresh air this franchise needs. I’m looking forward to seeing how all these new pieces interact with one another.
General Manager Ryan Poles
“The 2024 training camp will be big for us in preparation for achieving our season goals and we look forward to bringing the fans at home along for the journey.”
If I were to put together a depth chart today, I’d have this team with six new starters who weren’t with the team when the sun set on the 2023 season back in January. Free agent D’Andre Swift and trade acquisition Keenan Allen headlined the early wave of Bears additions. But the drafting of quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze took Chicago’s offseason to another level. My list of most-interesting Bears that I hope HBO’s “Hard Knocks” cameras follow to their fullest extent is easily in double figures.
BONUS: Do you remember what Ryan Poles had to say about the possibility about going on “Hard Knocks” at the start of the month? It’s OK if you don’t because I’ve got you covered:
“I have not heard. It wouldn’t surprise me either way. In terms of being in favor for … there are some distractions that come along with it. But it’s one of those things that, in this league, you just adjust and adapt to whatever shows up. If it’s here, we’ll roll. If it’s not, we’ll keep it moving.”
I’m not going to go full tin-foil hat on here. Hearing that interview had me thinking that Poles and the Bears had an inkling that this was coming down the pipeline.
President and CEO Kevin Warren
“Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears will provide our passionate fans across the world the ability to experience this unique and critical time in the history of our franchise.”
The Bears need to drum up some interest if they are going to have any shot at getting public funding for their new stadium. Maybe a run on “Hard Knocks” can help swing some public opinion. To be clear, I don’t think that’ll be a game-changer. But it could help with public perception if the team plays its cards right.
Notably absent from the Bears statement was Chairman George McCaskey:
Chairman McCaskey has long been adamant in not wanting “Hard Knocks” on campus at Halas Hall. And I get it. But if ever there was a time for the Bears to be center stage on HBO’s programming, this was it.
