Eagles to get first taste of NFL ‘Hard Knocks’ feature, only with a twist

Ryan OLeary

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Eagles to get first taste of NFL ‘Hard Knocks’ feature, only with a twist image

The NFL world will get an in-depth look at the reigning Super Bowl champions in 2025.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Wednesday that the league’s in-season Hard Knocks show will focus on the NFC East this year. That means the Eagles, Cowboys, Commanders and Giants will all be featured in the popular TV series produced by NFL Films for HBO.

This will be Philadelphia’s first taste of Hard Knocks, which has been around since 2001 and started solely as a training camp feature. Ditto for the Commanders. The Cowboys have been featured three times (2002, 2008 and 2021), and the Giants are back after their disastrous “offseason” version of the show in 2024, which showcased some embarrassing behind-the-scenes footage of Giants GM Joe Schoen and owner John Mara fumbling Saquon Barkley’s free agent contract.

Barkley, of course, went on to sign with the archrival Eagles and enjoyed one of the best single seasons in NFL history among running backs. It will be interesting to see how the league treats the Giants this time around, as a lighthearted exchange between Schoen and his son, Carson, also went viral, with Carson imploring his father to be bold and trade for star LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

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There might not be a more star-studded and interesting division in football this year than the NFC East, especially after the Cowboys added volatile wide receiver George Pickens. The Eagles are absolutely loaded with starpower and big personalities, from Barkley, to quarterback Jalen Hurts, to head coach Nick Sirianni and superstar wide receiver duo A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Even with Jason Kelce now enjoying retirement, Philly’s group of offensive linemen could have their own show.

The Commanders should also be a massive draw, fresh off their surprising run to the NFC Championship game. Daniels is quickly ascending into one of the NFL’s brightest stars, and Washington has plenty of starpower of their own, from new wide receiver tandem Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin, to cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

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Schoen might hide from the camera completely this time, but the Giants’ do have an emerging superstar in Malik Nabers and a new blue-collar rookie running back in Cam Scattebo who should be a delight to watch on camera. New York’s quarterback room features a pair of national treasures in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart could be pushing to play by the time the camera crews arrive in East Rutherford.

Hard Knocks can be somewhat of a nuisance, especially during the season, but you can’t blame the NFL for this one. The NFC East should make for excellent theater this season — highlighted by Philly’s quest for a Super Bowl repeat.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.