NFL Insider Reveals Likely Chicago Bears Storylines Hard Knocks Covers
The Chicago Bears have been the talk of the 2024 off-season around the NFL from the moment it began. Much of this stemmed from them securing the #1 overall pick in the draft, thanks to the trade with Carolina last year. That enabled them to land Caleb Williams, widely viewed as the best quarterback prospect in the class. For the first time in ages, it feels like the organization finally has a potential difference-maker at the quarterback position. Those good vibes, along with the Bears’ massive media profile, drew the attention of HBO for their long-standing reality series “Hard Knocks.”
Unsurprisingly, the NFL obliged by selecting them for the appearance. While it will make great content for football-starved fans, some players and coaches aren’t happy about the added distraction it will bring. That said, the Bears are almost certain to generate some fascinating storylines. Albert Breer of the MMQB dug into the situations and what to expect. Head coach Matt Eberflus has experience dealing with Hard Knocks from a few years ago. He thinks his team will be prepared. Breer revealed the likely storyline HBO will cover.
1) Caleb Williams. Duh.
2) Rome Odunze learning from DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.
3) Tyson Bagent and his arm-wrestling dad.
4) The reimagining of the Bears, behind Eberflus, GM Ryan Poles and president Kevin Warren, as a young team tries to turn the corner and the business side seeks a new stadium on the lakefront near Soldier Field.
5) The veterans of the defense, and maybe Kevin Byard in particular—a big personality who’s replacing Eddie Jackson, and will try to regain his footing after he was traded from the Tennessee Titans (where he’d spent his whole career) to Philly last year.
The Chicago Bears have plenty worth talking about.
Williams will be the obvious focal point. He is the #1 pick in the draft. His presence is made all the more fascinating because of the Bears’ obvious misery at quarterback over the last 80 years. They’ve never had a 4,000-yard passer. They’ve never had somebody throw for 30 touchdowns or receive All-Pro honors in the Super Bowl era. Williams can change all of that, and he’s surrounded by a great supporting cast to do it. That will be the central focus. Tyson Bagent, Kevin Byard, the new stadium, and a likely undrafted free agent trying to make the team are mere side stories.
Hard Knocks debuts on August 6th. By that point, cameras will have covered Chicago Bears training camp for around two weeks. Fans will probably have a good idea of what will show up based on updates from local media during practices. It should be a fun experience for people watching. The NFL no doubt hopes this appearance carries over to a successful season for the Bears. They need their big market teams to win more often, especially with possible franchise quarterbacks.