Hard Knocks could not have picked a better team with whom to spend the last two-plus months of the 2023 season than the Miami Dolphins.
HBO will provide viewers unique access to an exciting, interesting cast of characters, led by coach Mike McDaniel, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
HBO and NFL Films produce Hard Knocks. Episodes will begin airing on MAX later this fall.
This is the 3rd year for in-season Hard Knocks (Colts, Cardinals). Dolphins are a huge get as one of the NFL’s most interesting teams w/ top-ranked offense https://t.co/RhzptY4Ogb pic.twitter.com/uLg5Noxdof
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 23, 2023
But there are hidden costs to every decision. We walk through those costs, plus provide a brief history of the Emmy Award-winning cable news program, as we answer Hard Knocks frequently asked questions.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
Hard Knocks Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Hard Knocks?
Hard Knocks is the NFL‘s reality TV show, which is granted remarkable access to one team per season. The Dolphins are that team for the program’s in-season 2023 run.
MORE: NFL World Reacts to Dolphins Being Announced as This Year’s In-Season Hard Knocks Team
The show provides exclusive access to games, practices, meetings, and interviews with key players and coaches.
How Can You Watch Hard Knocks?
The in-season Hard Knocks runs on HBO’s streaming service, MAX. A release date as of Oct. 24 had not been announced. Filming will begin after the Dolphins return from Germany in Week 9.
Who Produces Hard Knocks?
Hard Knocks is produced by NFL Films and HBO. NFL Films is the league’s film and TV production company. Essentially, all of the league’s non-game filmed and videotaped content comes from NFL Films.
Which Teams Have Appeared on Hard Knocks?
The Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals (x2), Dallas Cowboys (x3), Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams (x2), Miami Dolphins (x2), New York Jets (x2), Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Wait, Isn’t Hard Knocks a Show About Training Camp?
Yes. But beginning in 2021, the program added a second season each year that parachutes into a team HQ at midseason and follows that franchise for however long they continue playing — through, as the Dolphins hope, even the Super Bowl.
Can the NFL Force Teams To Appear on Hard Knocks?
Yes. It happens a lot.
About a decade ago, NFL Films had run out of volunteers, so the NFL instituted a policy that forces teams to participate if: 1. They had not appeared in the last 10 years, 2. Their coach is not in his first year, 3. They had reached the playoffs in either of the past two seasons.
Did the Dolphins Volunteer To Appear?
Nope. But McDaniel is making the best of it.
Mike McDaniel speaks about the #Dolphins being named the in-season team for #HardKnocks 👀
Read more on #PFN365: https://t.co/6jmrQok7dA#FinsUp | #NFL
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 23, 2023
“I wouldn’t call it a team decision. But at the same time, you guys know me well enough that I steer clear of worrying about things that we can’t control.
“It’s something that I conveyed to the team for the first time today, and I see some positives with this particular team, just knowing that there’s a lot of things in terms of when we do have success on the field, that people kind of are curious as to how that happens. I think they’ll see exactly where that comes from.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing for people to see our day-in, day-out hard work. I know there’s a lot of guys on this team that will garner interest, really. I think that a platform for them to showcase who they are and really the fanbase to get to know the players and coaches better, I can understand the value to the National Football League, to HBO, to NFL Films, and I can understand the value for the Miami Dolphins.”
Why Don’t Teams Like Appearing on Hard Knocks?
NFL coaching culture hates two things: Distractions and revealing competitive information.
The concern is that Hard Knocks brings both.
Could Appearing on Hard Knocks Actually Cost the Dolphins Wins?
Highly unlikely. NFL Films, which produces the show, is quite deferential to partner organizations.
“I think in our short talks with the league and HBO, we’ve had that concern suppressed knowing that we’ll be able to protect our team and anything that’s a competitive disadvantage that may come up, we’ll be able to keep that from hitting the final copy,” McDaniel said.
“But outside of that, that’s why I kind of think that this particular team, I’m very, very proud, happy with just how we go to work every day. So this particular team, it’s not the worst thing in the world, because that’s what I think will be conveyed. You’re also just used to your routine, and that’s different. So you want to make sure that everything that you’ve been building stays true, and I think it will with our guys.”