The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most unique training camp experiences across the entire NFL. The team travels to Latrobe, PA every July where the players stay in dorm rooms while practicing at Saint Vincent College. The bleachers are packed every day with fans traveling from all over the country as they watch the team prepare for the upcoming season. Camp in recent years has been extremely interesting due to the constant uncertainty at quarterback, and that is expected to continue into the 2025 season.
One of the most interesting parts of training camp every year is the team that gets selected to participate on HBO's Hard Knocks. It is usually one of the worst teams in the NFL as there have been specific rules as to which teams were able to be selected for the program. The Steelers have never been on the show for the training camp edition, but it is now a possibility in 2025. The league and HBO loosened up the rules for what teams qualify in 2025, which was shared by insider Ari Meirov."Hard Knocks has loosened its rules on which teams can be forced into the Training Camp edition," Meirov wrote. "The new rules for who can't be forced to participate: Teams with a first-year head coach. Teams featured in that season's in-season edition (covering a full division). Team on Hard Knocks: Training Camp in the last eight seasons. The previous playoff exemption (if you were a playoff team the last two years) is gone, meaning more teams are now eligible.
"Hard Knocks has loosened its rules on which teams can be forced into the Training Camp edition," Meirov wrote. "The new rules for who can't be forced to participate: Teams with a first-year head coach. Teams featured in that season's in-season edition (covering a full division). Team on Hard Knocks: Training Camp in the last eight seasons. The previous playoff exemption (if you were a playoff team the last two years) is gone, meaning more teams are now eligible."
Pittsburgh fits the criteria to be picked for the 2025 edition of the show, where they haven't in many years before. The playoff rule in years past typically made it so the Steelers could not be picked, as it is rare the organization goes back-to-back years without making the postseason. The last time that happened was in 2018 and 2019, and they were not selected. They fit all of the criteria presented by the new rules, and Pittsburgh would certainly be an attractive team for HBO to cover.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland during the 2024 season.
Pittsburgh also will not be on the in-season edition of the show that covers an entire division, as the AFC North was the subject of that show during the 2024 season. This means the HBO crew could be traveling to Latrobe in July and August, and fans will get some extra insight into how training camp operates behind the scenes.
This would be an interesting look into the organization as there is a lot of animosity surrounding the Steelers after constant years of mediocrity, and the late season collapse that occurred in 2024. Things certainly seem bleak for the Steelers moving forward, as there are a lot of question marks surrounding the team for the 2025 season.
Steelers Would Be An Attractive Option For HBO
Pittsburgh would be one of the more interesting teams for the streaming service to choose. It is one of the largest fan bases in all of professional sports, which means HBO would be able to rely on steady viewership. In addition to that, the potential addition of Aaron Rodgers will make things even more interesting. Fans are also interested in seeing the dynamic between George Pickens and the newly acquired DK Metcalf.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin is also an attractive figure in the landscape of the NFL. He is beloved by many on a national scale, but there are many fans in Pittsburgh that want to see the coach lose his job. The 2025 season is one with a lot riding on it for those in Pittsburgh, which makes Hard Knocks coming to Latrobe all the more likely.
