Patriots to be featured on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ in 2027

HBO cameras are heading to Foxborough subsequent yr. 

For the primary time in franchise historical past, the New England Patriots can be featured on HBO’s long-running soccer documentary sequence “Laborious Knocks” in 2027. 

The workforce that defeated the Patriots in Tremendous Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks, can be showcased on “Laborious Knocks” forward of the 2026 season. 

NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport was the primary to report the information of each the Seahawks and Patriots’ starring roles on the HBO sequence over the following two years. 

“Laborious Knocks” follows one NFL workforce throughout coaching camp as they ramp up and embrace the grind of a brand new season. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments have been featured final season. 

Whereas “Laborious Knocks” has been broadcast since 2001, the Patriots have prevented the behind-the-scenes remedy through the years due to a number of broadcast guidelines which have been adjusted as of late. 

Through the Patriots’ two-decade run of dominance underneath Tom Brady and Invoice Belichick, groups might flip down a starring function on “Laborious Knocks” in the event that they made the playoffs through the prior yr. 

Belichick — not precisely aware about bringing in undesirable consideration and distractions on the outset of a brand new season — was fast to close down any probability of HBO cameras establishing store at Gillette Stadium. 

The NFL tweaked these eligibility guidelines in recent times to make playoff groups extra compliant for a featured spot on “Laborious Knocks,” whereas additionally stopping groups which have a first-year head coach from getting the highlight placed on them.

As such, the Patriots have been ineligible for “Laborious Knocks” the final two seasons following the appointment of Jerod Mayo and Mike Vrabel in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

The Patriots could have loads of publicity over the following few seasons, particularly after Vrabel and second-year QB Drake Maye led New England to an sudden run to Tremendous Bowl LX this previous season. 

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.