Hard Knocks returns with defending champion Seahawks

The NFL’s preseason documentary series "Hard Knocks" has returned, focusing on the Seattle Seahawks as they prepare to defend their Super Bowl championship. The first episode of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks" premiered Tuesday, August 4, on HBO and HBO Max, marking the first time since 2001 the series has featured the defending titleholder.

The episode offered a behind-the-scenes look at the Seahawks' training camp, beginning with the team receiving their Super Bowl championship rings. The moment included a lighthearted mishap when quarterback Sam Darnold dropped his ring upon opening the box. Head coach Mike Macdonald, entering his third season with Seattle after leading the team to a championship in his second year, set a tone for camp by invoking the legendary 1990s Chicago Bulls, emphasizing the challenge of repeating as champions.

A significant focus of the early episode was Macdonald's coaching philosophy, particularly his use of past criticism as motivation. In a featured clip, Macdonald showed safety Nick Emmanwori a notecard bearing a quote from former NFL coach and analyst Rex Ryan, who in 2022 called the then-Baltimore Ravens defensive...