Vikings could be forced to appear on ‘Hard Knocks’ in 2020

NFL owners have reportedly discussed some changes for the show that could result in the Minnesota Vikings being forced to participate in the future.

For fans of the Minnesota Vikings, there has never been a better time than now for behind-the-scenes access to the team. Current fans have the opportunity to view some of what happens to the Vikings players on the practice field, in the locker room, and even off the field as well.

However, the ultimate behind-the-scenes access any team can give their fans usually comes from the organization participating in the HBO television program, Hard Knocks. The show follows one NFL team each summer during their training camp and preseason as they build their roster for the upcoming regular season.

Minnesota has never been featured on Hard Knocks and the team would probably like to keep it that way for as long as they can. But they may no longer have a choice according to a recent report.

Currently, teams can only decline participation in Hard Knocks if they have a head coach entering his first year with the organization, they’ve made the playoffs at least once during the previous two seasons, or they have already appeared on the show within the previous 10 years.

However, NFL owners are reportedly considering the elimination of these eligibility rules for the future in order to generate more interest in the television program according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Meaning any team around the league could be selected for the show whether like it or not.

If this were to happen, teams like the Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers would no longer be able to avoid being selected for Hard Knocks. No steps have been taken to make this more of a reality, but the idea of it at least being thrown out there seems somewhat significant.

So for any Minnesota fans who have been hoping to see their favorite team featured on Hard Knocks one day, this recent report seems to make it sound like it could become more of a possibility in the near future.