‘Hard Knocks’ picks: Seahawks & Pats
The NFL’s ‘Hard Knocks’ will spotlight the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots over the next two years — a big PR moment for both franchises and a chance to shape narratives. (youtube.com)
The five-episode season is scheduled to debut Aug. 11, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET and will be available to stream on HBO Max. (seahawks.com (seahawks.com)) NFL Films is producing the series for HBO, with the announcement carried by entertainment outlets covering the league’s programming lineup. (deadline.com (deadline.com)) ESPN reported the selection was disclosed to clubs at the NFL Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, with Adam Schefter breaking the news. (espn.com (espn.com)) It will be the first time since Hard Knocks launched in 2001 that a reigning Super Bowl champion is the subject of the series. (espn.com (espn.com)) Seattle’s off-season moves now carry added spotlight: the team extended wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a four-year, $168.6 million deal, a contract ESPN said makes him the highest-paid receiver in the league. (espn.com (espn.com)) Patriots coverage will follow amid New England’s rapid turnaround — the club posted a 14-3 record in 2025 after consecutive 4-13 seasons — and has been noted for coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye’s roles in that rebound. (espn.com (espn.com))
