After divulging disinterest towards participating in the preseason edition of the NFL Films and HBO documentary series Hard Knocks, the New York Jets are reportedly preparing to be assigned to the program. “Gang Green” is one of four teams eligible to participate in the latest iteration of the show, as the organization does not have a first-year head coach nor has it qualified for the playoffs in the last two years. Additionally, the Jets have not appeared on the show in the last decade and are, perhaps, the obvious pick because of the acquisition of accomplished quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The development was first reported by NBC Sports personality and ProFootballTalk founder Mike Florio.
The National Football League has the power to coerce teams into doing the program, and it is an ability the Jets are preparing to be faced with entering the preseason. After all, the Jets are dominating both the local and national airwaves when it comes to conversations surrounding football and are on prime-time television for the maximum six times allowed under the league’s new media rights agreement. The team will commence the first-ever Black Friday broadcast in an AFC rivalry matchup against the Miami Dolphins, exclusively available to viewers on Amazon Prime Video.
The organization last appeared on Hard Knocks in 2010 under head coach Rex Ryan, and featured various storylines associated with the play on the gridiron and other, behind-the-scenes matters. Thirteen years ago, the team’s starting quarterback was Mark Sanchez and contained offensive weapons such as Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Today, the team has an influx of young, dynamic talent such as Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and is aiming to make the playoffs for the first time under head coach Robert Saleh.
