HBO Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cleveland Browns will premiere tonight, August 7, at 10pm ET. The long-running, behind-the-scenes series 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 along with an intriguing cast of players that includes the 2018 #1 overall draft pick, quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is currently listed second on the depth chart behind former Buffalo Bills QB Tyrod Taylor. The two reportedly have a secretive "QB-Only" RV parked at the training facility, which you can expect to catch a glimpse of at some point throughout the five-part series.
Fans will also get a closer look at the Browns' fourth overall pick, Denzel Ward, and last year's #1 overall pick, defensive end Myles Garrett, as well as wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon, assuming he makes an appearance. Gordon returned to the team in the middle of last year after serving a lengthy suspension, but has not been at training camp as he continues his "overall health and treatment plan."
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 for the franchise and their rabid fanbase 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.
Check out the final trailer in the video embedded below and catch the first episode tonight at 10pm ET on HBO.
