NFL Dominates Docuseries Landscape With ‘Hard Knocks’ and Netflix Hits

It’s the heart of docuseries season for the NFL.

With the first iteration of an offseason-themed Hard Knocks in the books, the traditional training camp series premieres Tuesday night, chronicling preparations for the season from the Bears and No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams (above). Chicago has already played one exhibition contest—Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game against the Texans—that should offer some immediate behind-the-scenes content for viewers.

Last Tuesday brought the finale of Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants, a first-of-its-kind five-episode season following the springtime front-office happenings like the NFL combine, draft, and free agency. But instead of the typical storylines around players and coaches that viewers may be used to, it was New York general manager Joe Schoen and his top scouts who were the show’s main stars.

Plenty of good reviews came in for the series, and some suggested there was even too much secretive information revealed—a stark contrast to previous editions. Schoen was often shown strategizing with Giants owner John Mara, who was not happy with the decision by Saquon Barkley to sign with NFC East rival Philadelphia. 

“I was certainly a little nervous about it going in,” Mara told the New York Post. “It was a pretty honest depiction of what goes on, and I think people appreciated having that kind of access. … There were some uncomfortable moments in there, but all-in-all, I’m glad it’s over.”

Ready for More?

The NFL hasn’t announced whether the offseason version of Hard Knocks will return in 2025. But with the expansion of the show a key part of the NFL’s continued efforts to take over the sports calendar, there won’t be much time off for the franchise this fall.

In December, the now three-year-old in-season version of the series will begin documenting all four teams in the AFC North throughout the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. Last year, the in-season Hard Knocks followed the Dolphins through a loss in the wild card round. This year, four teams being under the microscope increases the chances of bringing more exclusive postseason content.

Netflix Is Here, Too

Netflix’s prowess as a force in sports docuseries reached the NFL last year with the debut of Quarterback, which followed three signal-callers—including Patrick Mahomes—throughout the 2022 season. Despite being headed up by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, the show struggled to find more willing quarterback participants for a second season and ultimately pivoted.

During the 2023 season, Netflix followed four wideouts—Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Davante Adams (Raiders), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions), and Deebo Samuel (49ers), as well as one tight end, San Francisco’s George Kittle, to create Receiver. The show, which was released in July, reached the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s top-10 most-watched list for several days. Plans for yet another follow-up during the 2024 season have not been announced.

America’s Team

Still to come in the NFL documentary space is a 10-episode series exploring Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the growth of his business empire in the 1990s. A release date has not been announced, but the project is in partnership with Skydance Sports, which is partially owned by the NFL and also collaborates on Hard Knocks.