The New Orleans Saints have made it clear they don't want 'Hard Knocks,' and it's starting to look like the inside-access HBO program has other preferences, too.
The New York Jets are bracing to be forced onto the program, according to a report from ProFootballTalk, despite head coach Robert Saleh indicating the franchise didn't want it.
The topic has been roiling throughout the offseason because if no team volunteers, the NFL has the right to force certain teams to participate if they don't meet certain exceptions. Any team who has a first-year head coach, has been on the program in the past 10 years, or has made the playoffs in either of the previous two seasons is safe if they don't want it.
Four teams qualify with those stipulations, including the Jets, Saints, Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears. The Jets likely have the most intriguing offseason storylines to follow with the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers.
"I just want to focus on our football team and getting better, and any distractions are exactly that," head coach Dennis Allen said during OTAs in May. "They're just distractions that keep you from ultimately reaching your goal."
It sounds like the Saints will be getting exactly what they want. The Saints have completed three OTA sessions and a minicamp. The whole squad will reconvene in late July for the full training camp, for which dates have not yet been officially announced.
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For the full report from ProFootballTalk, click here.