The New York Giants will be under the “Hard Knocks” spotlight this summer and the AFC North will be during the in-season version of the popular HBO NFL series.
But what if every team spent time under the white-hot glare of “Hard Knocks” cameras during training camp?
We asked Yardbarker NFL writers to choose the dominant “Hard Knocks” storyline for every team in the NFC.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Has anyone seen CeeDee Lamb? | The 2023 NFL second-leading receiver was absent for minicamp, and thanks to Justin Jefferson’s new contract, he now has 140 million reasons to skip training camp. Nothing on the practice field can match the drama of Lamb’s negotiations, giving HBO producers a perfect, Keyser Soze-like figure for the series.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Who wants to play tight end? | Recently retired Darren Waller disappointed in 2023, but his 86 career games are 57 more than tight ends Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson have played in combined. If neither shows chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones, the team could add a veteran free agent such as former Saint Jimmy Graham or trade for Dawson Knox, who spent three years in HC Brian Daboll’s system when Daboll was OC with Buffalo.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | What does Nick Sirainni do? | The Eagles’ HC gave up play-calling duties in 2021 and now says he’ll take a CEO-style approach toward running the Eagles, allowing new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to run the offense and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to run the defense. Sirianni struggled when asked to explain his job responsibilities at the team’s season-ending news conference, which could speak volumes about the direction of the team.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Dan Quinn’s trophy quarterback | Quarterback Matt Ryan already had 181 touchdowns and 66 wins in his pocket when Quinn took the Atlanta Falcons in 2015, but now, the 53-year-old head coach gets 23-year-old Jayden Daniels, a former Heisman winner and No. 2 pick in this year’s draft. Quinn believes Daniels “has the hunger of a younger player” and also “the swagger and calmness of a veteran,” but how calm will the coach be if Daniels doesn’t know a blitz is coming? — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Marvin Harrison Jr.’s impact | The Cardinals needed an impact playmaker on offense and hope to have landed one with Harrison Jr. at the No. 4 overall pick. He has already wowed teammates in offseason activities and is entering the season as one of the top favorites to be the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Replacing Aaron Donald | It is never easy replacing an all-time great at any position, but that is what the Rams are facing this season following the retirement of defensive tackle Donald, a surefire Hall of Famer. DT Kobie Turner looked like a rising star a year ago, and the Rams used a second-round pick on another DT, Braden Fiske. Can either fill massive shoes in the middle of the defense?
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | The wide receiver drama | The 49ers do not have many weaknesses, but they have major drama at wide receiver. Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have been the center of trade rumors all offseason, with Aiyuk recently going viral on social media for a video saying the 49ers do not want him back.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | The post-Pete Carroll era | After 14 years of Carroll as HC, the Seahawks have a new head coach in former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Even though the Seahawks fell into mediocrity the past three seasons under Carroll, he still had them consistently competitive and posted a winning record in all but three seasons, giving Macdonald a pretty high bar to reach as a rookie HC. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | The new guys | After an eventful offseason that included the addition of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams (QB) and No. 9 pick Rome Odunze (WR) — along with veteran acquisitions D’Andre Swift (RB) and Keenan Allen (WR) — the Bears are feeling pretty good about themselves. But will the new guys be enough to help the Bears contend in the NFC North against the Packers and reigning division champion Lions?
DETROIT LIONS | Can Detroit get over the hump in the NFC? | Over the past 10 seasons, the San Francisco 49ers are the only NFC team to advance to the Super Bowl a year after losing in the conference title game. Oddly enough, heading into 2024, the Niners and Lions are top-tier contenders, potentially putting Detroit in a unique position to repay the favor.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Is Jordan Love for real? | In his first full season as starting quarterback, Love emerged as the franchise’s new face, leading Green Bay to the divisional round of the playoffs and finishing second in the NFL in touchdown passes (32) and seventh in passing yards (4,159). However, after his breakout campaign, Love won’t be a surprise.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Can J.J. McCarthy win the starting job? | As the Vikings face life without Kirk Cousins, rookie McCarthy is clearly the future, but it’s uncertain when he’ll play. The team has gone out of its way to sell free-agent acquisition and former No. 3 pick Sam Darnold as the starter, but it will be interesting to see how ex-Michigan star McCarthy handles the competition, knowing he’ll be the man eventually. — Mike Santa Barbara
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | The Cousins-Penix Jr. relationship | When the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in the NFL Draft, they invited an unnecessary distraction at quarterback. Will veteran free-agent signee Kirk Cousins take the young gunslinger under his wing or leave him to figure things out on his own?
CAROLINA PANTHERS | How does Bryce Young look under first-year head coach Dave Canales? | The second-year quarterback will be under a microscope during his first training camp under new head coach Canales. With “Hard Knocks”-level access, fans and media could spend hours dissecting every underthrown pass and ball batted down at the line to wonder how long the marriage lasts between the 5-foot-10 QB and HC.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | What happens with RB Alvin Kamara? | The off-field drama between Kamara, who is seeking a revised contract, and the front office could make for incredibly tense television. The 2017 Associated Press Rookie of the Year isn’t owed any guaranteed money after this season, and the cap-strapped Saints might not be in a position to give him the contract he seeks.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Who picks up first tab? | With three consecutive NFC South crowns and 2024 free agents Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. signed to long-term deals, the Bucs don’t have much drama surrounding them. Instead, with Tampa Bay’s star trio signing deals worth a combined $130M guaranteed, the most intrigue is who picks up the tab after their first meal. — Eric Smithling