After months of speculation, the decision has finally been made with Jon Gruden's Oakland Raiders set to be featured on HBO's Hard Knocks ahead of the 2019 NFL season.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders were given the nod as only the second AFC West squad to be featured on the popular docu-series.
Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders are going to be on Hard Knocks this summer, per league official. They are the second AFC West team to be featured on the HBO series (KC Chiefs in 2007).
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 11, 2019
Only five teams in the NFL could be forced to do the show due to the rules put in place. The Raiders were obviously the most attractive choice considering their situation with a fiery head coach in Gruden, the addition of vocal superstar Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict, Richie Incognito, and of course, the pending move to Las Vegas. Also, owner Mark Davis will definitely be as interesting as any of the aforementioned names as well as what could be the beginning of a make-or-break year for franchise quarterback, Derek Carr.
The four other teams that were in contention to appear on Hard Knocks were the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. All four of these teams have compelling storylines and would've been an entertaining watch once training camp rolls around, but none have the current appeal of the misfit Raiders with Gruden leading the way.
Although the Raiders didn't want the added attention as they prepare for what will almost certainly be a final drama-filled season in Oakland, the decision-makers seem to have gotten it right, and major rating for the popular show could be on the horizon. It'll be must-see TV in Oakland.
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