The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t one of the four teams eligible to be drafted to HBO’s documentary series “Hard Knocks” this year.
The yet-to-be-announced 2023 version of the show could feature the Bears, Saints, Jets, and Commanders under the current ruleset. Teams exempted include those with first-year coaches, playoff teams over the last two years and teams that have done it within the last decade.
Odds seem strong the league will compel the Jets to do it given the media giant that is the Big Apple, a roster on the upswing and the arrival of Aaron Rodgers.
Technically speaking, a team could volunteer to do it, even if they aren’t one of the four under the current guidelines that could be forced into doing it.
The Bengals, like most teams, probably wouldn’t volunteer — but it’s hard not to express how interesting they might be as the focal point while fans get a behind-the-scenes look at the pursuit of a third consecutive AFC title game appearance.
Either way, it feels like there is a good chance the cameras will wind up in the AFC, though it’s understandable if some Bengals fans would prefer they come to Cincinnati.
