Not So Fast on Vikings Hard Knocks Disappointment
After some scrumptious offseason theories, the 2025 Minnesota Vikings will not be on HBO’s hit docuseries, Hard Knocks.
Some expected the Vikings to be on HBO’s Hard Knocks, and while they won’t be, they’ll get the next best thing.
On the same day that the NFL revealed the Philadelphia Eagles’ Tush Push would not be banned, secondary news dropped that the Buffalo Bills will receive Hard Knocks treatment, not the Vikings.
However, HBO now features an in-season version of Hard Knocks, as well, and it will showcase all NFC East teams. We are here to report that Vikings fans will, alas, get a healthy scoop of the purple team in that series.
Buffalo Bills Earn HBO’s Hard Knocks Spot
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Wednesday, “The Bills are going to be in the spotlight this summer. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced at a Wednesday press conference that the Bills will be featured on this summer’s edition of Hard Knocks. HBO announced an August 5 premiere date.”
“Rules governing which teams could be selected for Hard Knocks in 2024. Teams can only avoid being selected if they have a first-year head coach, have appeared on the show in the last eight years and will participate in the in-season version of the show at some point in the next two seasons.”
It’s a done deal, and Josh Allen’s team will be front and center on the flagship version of Hard Knocks.
Don’t Forget about In-Season Hard Knocks
In the immediacy of the Bills + Hard Knocks, announcement, some Vikings fans expressed befuddlement as the purple team is due for the HBO spotlight.
While the Vikings will not be on the program in the summer, HBO will air a separate Hard Knocks installment during the season, with all NFC East teams.
And guess who plays against NFC East teams right as the show airs? Yes, the Vikings.
Last year, the AFC North Hard Knocks hit airwaves on December 3rd. This is Minnesota’s schedule around that time:
- December 7th: Commanders at Vikings
- December 14th: Vikings at Cowboys
- December 21st: Vikings at Giants
There’s actually a decent chance that the Vikings get substantial coverage, if only as an opponent.
Vikings Will Be Heavily Featured by Default
Of course, HBO won’t go into the guts of Minnesota’s locker room like the NFC East teams, but with that scheduling trifecta, Kevin O’Connell’s team is guaranteed to make a few appearances unless HBO totally moves the timeline.
HBO likely won’t do that, and therefore, Minnesota will get the side-note Hard Knocks treatment.
Full Shebang Eventually
So long as Hard Knocks keeps pumping out content, Minnesota is in line for eventual coverage. Approximately one dozen teams have not been welcomed to the show, and before too long — like in the next decade — the round robin will come to Minnesota.
Perhaps the Vikings’ opponent-themed inclusion will serve as a trial run.
More from ESPN on Bills + Hard Knocks
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg provided more detail on Buffalo at the epicenter of Hard Knocks: “The Bills became eligible to be selected for the training camp series thanks to a new set of rules introduced this offseason that expanded the pool of teams. There is no longer a rule that teams that made the playoffs in the past two years are able to opt out from participating, which would have applied to the Bills, who have made the playoffs each of the past six seasons.”
“Teams that are not eligible to be selected for “Hard Knocks: Training Camp” include teams with first-year head coaches, those that have appeared on the training camp version of the show in the past eight seasons and teams that are part of the in-season division selected or next year’s in-season division.”
Not for nothing, the Bills’ HBO edition will actually be rather entertaining.
Getzenberg added, “The team’s beginning portion of training camp will take place at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York. The Bills’ 2025 campaign sees them currently favored in every game, per ESPN Bet, and with quarterback Josh Allen coming off his first MVP season. The team acquired free agents Joey Bosa and Joshua Palmer this offseason, while coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane are set for their ninth season together.”
“This season marks the Bills’ final year in their current stadium with a new one, set to open in 2026, currently under construction across the street. Episodes will air on Tuesdays through Sept. 2.”
Buffalo will play Minnesota again in 2026.
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