The Cleveland Browns have reportedly been selected to appear on HBO's "Hard Knocks," the long-running, behind-the-scenes series that will shadow the team throughout training camp and the pre-season. The Browns have never been featured on Hard Knocks in the show's 13-year run.
After finishing 0-16 last season, the Browns opted to bring back head coach Hue Jackson, who will appear in the series in the series along with an intriguing cast of players that includes the 2018 #1 overall draft pick, quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield will be competing with former Buffalo Bills QB Tyrod Taylor for the starting spot, but that's not going to be the only interesting storyline.
Fans will also get a closer look at last year's #1 overall pick, defensive end Myles Garrett, as well as wide receivers Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman and Jarvis Landry. Gordon returned to the team in the middle of last year after serving a lengthy suspension, while Landry joined the team this off-season as part of a trade with the Miami Dolphins.
Of course, there's also the larger, underlying theme that the Browns haven't made the playoffs since 2002, and there's actually a glimmer of hope heading into the 2018 season.
HBO reportedly selected the Browns out of a pool of six teams that also included the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins. According to NFL.com, teams with first year coaches, teams that made the playoffs in the last two seasons, and teams that have appeared on the series in the past ten years are all teams can avoid mandatory inclusion on Hard Knocks.
The premiere date for Hard Knocks is set for August 7th.
