CHICAGO – “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears” has officially wrapped up, leavings fans with a sense of excitement and optimism for the 2024 season that’s right around the corner.
“Hard Knocks” – a reality sports documentary television series produced by HBO and NFL Films – had its first season in 2001 and follows an NFL team through the summer months during NFL Training Camp prior to the regular season.
With 23 seasons under its belt, its worth examining how teams have performed during the season they were featured on the program.
Do what you will with this, but unfortunately for the Bears, teams that have been featured on “Hard Knocks” tend to not perform well during the season. No team that’s appeared on “Hard Knocks” has gone on to win the Super Bowl in the same season, and in fact, no team has even made it to the Super Bowl.
Here’s a look at each NFL team’s season-by-season result after being showcased on the program.
- 2001 – Baltimore Ravens (10-6 record, second in AFC Central)
- 2002 – Dallas Cowboys (5-11 record, last in NFC East)
- 2007 – Kansas City Chiefs (4-12 record, third in AFC West)
- 2008 – Dallas Cowboys (9-7 record, third in NFC East)
- 2009 – Cincinnati Bengals (10-6 record, first in AFC North)
- 2010 – New York Jets (11-5 record, second in AFC East)
- 2012 – Miami Dolphins (7-9 record, second in AFC East)
- 2013 – Cincinnati Bengals (11-5 record, first in AFC North)
- 2014 – Atlanta Falcons (6-10 record, third in NFC South)
- 2015 – Houston Texans (9-7 record, first in AFC South)
- 2016 – Los Angeles Rams (4-12 record, third in NFC West)
- 2017 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11 record, last in NFC South)
- 2018 – Cleveland Browns (7-8-1 record, third in AFC North)
- 2019 – Oakland Raiders (7-9 record, second in AFC West)
- 2020 – Los Angeles Rams (10-6 record, second in NFC West)
- 2020 – Los Angeles Chargers (7-9 record, third in AFC West)
- 2021 – Dallas Cowboys (12-5 record, first in NFC East)
- 2021 – Indianapolis Colts (9-8 record, second in AFC South)
- *The 2021 Colts were the first team the series followed during the regular season on “Hard Knocks In Season.”
- 2022 – Detroit Lions (9-8 record, second in NFC North)
- 2022 – Arizona Cardinals (4-13 record, last in NFC West)
- The 2022 Cardinals were the second team to be featured on “Hard Knocks In Season.”
- 2023 – New York Jets (7-10 record, third in AFC East)
- 2023 – Miami Dolphins (11-6 record, second in AFC East)
- The 2023 Dolphins were the third team to be featured on “Hard Knocks In Season.”
- 2024 – New York Giants (TBD)
- The 2024 Giants were the first team the series followed during the NFL offseason. “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” showcased the Giants navigating free agency and the NFL Draft.
- 2024 – Chicago Bears (TBD)
Of all teams featured on “Hard Knocks,” only eight have made the playoffs: the 2001 Ravens, 2009 Bengals, 2010 Jets, 2013 Bengals, 2015 Texans, 2020 Rams, 2021 Cowboys and 2023 Dolphins.
The 2021 Cowboys won the most regular season games after appearing on “Hard Knocks,” as they finished with a 12-5 record, but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round.
The “Hard Knocks” team that went the deepest in the playoffs was the 2010 Jets, who made it to the AFC Championship Game but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With now three different versions of the show, it’s possible a “Hard Knocks” team raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy sooner rather than later. Chicagoans are hopeful the 2024 Bears will be the first to accomplish that feat.