Giants ‘Hard Knocks’, explained: How new ‘offseason’ edition will be different from other 2024 series | Sporting News Australia

“Hard Knocks” has long provided football fanatics an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at training camp ahead of an NFL season.

The show from HBO has been such a hit that the league recently expanded it to have a version take place in the middle of the season, giving viewers an even closer look behind the curtain as to how an NFL organization prepares each week for game day. 

But have you ever wondered what goes on during an offseason, when general managers and front office members are busy going over free agency and the NFL Draft? Well, there’s now a show for that, too. 

The NFL announced on Wednesday that there is going to be a new, offseason version of “Hard Knocks” that is centered on the Giants. New York is heading into its 100th season as a football franchise, giving the league a storyline to center the special around. 

“We are incredibly proud that ‘Hard Knocks’ is widely thought of as one of the most successful and entertaining unscripted sports franchises ever produced,” said Ross Ketover, senior executive of NFL Films. “To be able to expand on the ‘Hard Knocks’ universe, and with an elite franchise in the Giants while they celebrate their 100th season, is a privilege for all of us at NFL Films.”

Here is more to know about “Hard Knocks: Offseason” and how it will differ from past versions of the HBO show. 

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What is ‘Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants’?

For years, “Hard Knocks” has been all about training camps, with a focus on new signings, drafted prospects, and battles at each position. 

Now, the show is going to take a step back, allowing viewers a chance to see what goes on even before players arrive for the preseason.  

The cameras have been rolling for a number of months now in New York. With the offseason edition of the show, viewers will get the chance to see what exactly goes into the decisions behind restructuring a roster ahead of a new season. 

The show is set to “chronicle the team’s every move as general manager Joe Schoen and other members of the team’s front office and staff navigate the critical offseason period from January to July 2024, from the NFL Scouting Combine to free agency, to the NFL Draft and team minicamps,” according to the NFL’s press release. 

“As we enter our 100th season, we look forward to providing our fans with the opportunity to see what it takes to build an NFL roster,” Nilay Shah said, senior vice president of marketing and brand strategy for the Giants. “Beginning the moment the previous season ended, we gave NFL Films unprecedented access to this critical time of the year. We know viewers will gain insight from moments that have never been captured before and are excited for them to learn more about our Giants history.”

The 2024 offseason was one of massive change for the Giants. Most notably was the departure of longtime running back Saquon Barkley
, who left in free agency to sign with the rival Eagles. In addition, the team landed star edge rusher Brian Burns in a trade with the Panthers
 and drafted LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

When will ‘Hard Knocks: Offseason’ air?

• Start Date: Tuesday, July 2

“Hard Knocks: Offseason” is set to begin airing on Tuesday, July 2. The first episode will air live on HBO and be available to stream on Max, the streaming service for the platform. 

New episodes are set to come out each Tuesday throughout the month of July. In total, there will be five episodes of the offseason series.