The NFL’s most behind-the-scenes television series is changing its game plan.
HBO and NFL Films announced that the “Offseason” edition of “Hard Knocks” will return in 2027, giving football fans an inside look at how an entire NFL division prepares for the upcoming season during one of the league’s most consequential periods.
The new installment will follow four teams as they work to build and strengthen their rosters following the 2026 NFL season. Cameras will begin filming at the conclusion of the season, capturing the decisions and preparations surrounding the NFL Scouting Combine, free agency and the NFL Draft.
The series will debut in 2027 on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.
The return to the offseason format marks a shift for the franchise, which has featured an “in-season” edition during the latter part of the NFL season since 2021. The newest offseason series will replace the current in-season format.
The first “Hard Knocks” offseason edition premiered in 2024 with “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants.” The series quickly became a fan favorite and earned a Sports Emmy Award nomination.
The upcoming edition will expand the concept by featuring an entire division, allowing viewers to follow four organizations as they make decisions that could shape their future.
“Our fans are increasingly interested in how NFL rosters are built, as well as the people who build them,” said Ross Ketover, NFL Films’ senior executive. “With ‘Hard Knocks’ moving to the offseason, we are excited to showcase the tireless work that happens across an entire division, from the moment a season ends to when the minicamps begin.”
The series will offer viewers access to a side of professional football that is often less visible than game day. Front-office executives, coaches and players will be followed as teams evaluate talent, pursue free agents and prepare for the draft.
Meanwhile, “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks” is currently airing on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max, with new episodes running through Sept. 1. The New England Patriots are scheduled to be the “Hard Knocks” training camp team in 2027.
The franchise has become a staple of sports television since its debut, combining NFL Films’ signature storytelling with unprecedented access to professional football organizations.
NFL Films has won 146 Sports Emmy Awards, establishing a long history of documenting the people, personalities and pivotal moments behind the sport.
With the 2027 offseason edition, “Hard Knocks” will take viewers beyond the stadium and into the meetings, negotiations and evaluations that help determine which teams are positioned for success when a new NFL season begins.