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The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/ctpatsfan77 on 2026-01-27 04:21:26+00:00.

Edit: u/dnytle below noted that there is a third criterion, which reduces the number to no more than 14.

The rule is that the NFL can force a team to participate in Hard Knocks unless they meet (at least) one of these two criteria:

  • They have participated in the last 10 years.
  • Their head coach in 2026 was not their head coach in 2025. [A retread head coach still exempts a team; for example, Mike Vrabel’s hiring exempted the Patriots in 2025.]
  • Edit: Their division was not selected for the in-season Hard Knocks in 2025; the division selected for 2026 (not yet announced) will also be exempt.

Last year, the NFL removed the criterion that exempted playoff teams, as it left too few teams eligible.

Here are the 16 14 teams that the NFL currently can force to do Hard Knocks:

  • AFCE: New England
  • AFCN: Cincinnati
  • AFCS: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville
  • AFCW: Denver, Kansas City
  • NFCE: Philadelphia, Washington Edit: None, due to 2025 in-season Hard Knocks
  • NFCN: Green Bay, Minnesota
  • NFCS: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay
  • NFCW: San Francisco, Seattle