Pittsburgh Steelers: NFL’s Hard Knocks Decision Coming Soon
By Matt Shetler
While the Pittsburgh Steelers are busy getting prepared for the 2014 NFL Draft, they likely are also paying close attention from a decision from that could turn their training camp into a circus.
Mar 26, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference at the NFL Annual Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
That decision involves HBO’s Hard Knocks.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said late last week that a decision on which team that will be featured is coming soon.
"“There are several clubs that are interested in doing this,” Goodell said, via Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. “I just don’t have an update on which club, whether it’s going to be a volunteer or if it’s somebody who is going to have to fulfill the obligation. But I’m sure that decision will be made pretty soon.”"
The news that some teams are interested in doing the show could be good news for the Steelers as I believe that the last thing head coach Mike Tomlin wants is the HBO cameras around all preseason.
The Steelers are among a group of eight teams that could be forced to do the show if no other team volunteers. That list also includes the Bills, Bears, Cardinals, Giants, Jaguars, Raiders and Rams.
In rules that the NFL passed last season, teams that have appeared on Hard Knocks in the last 10 years, teams with new head coaches, and teams that have made the playoffs in either of the last two years are exempt from having to do the show.
Goodell also noted that some teams have shown some resistance, which I’m betting the Steelers are one of those teams.
It will be interesting to see in the upcoming weeks what the NFL’s decision is and if the Steelers will be selected to be on the show, which will be great for fans, but likely not so great for the team.