The Pittsburgh Steelers received their official 2024 schedule, and many fans were upset that all of their AFC North games were scheduled for the second half of the season. However, on Monday, it was announced that the Steelers would be featured in an exclusive in-season Hard Knocks series, highlighting the entire AFC North. Hinting that maybe the NFL did that on purpose because they knew about the AFC North series.
Ron Schwane / AP
Former Steelers QB Mason Rudolph has his helmet stolen by Browns' Myles Garrett.
This marks the first time in Hard Knocks history that an entire division will be featured. The exclusive series, featuring the Steelers, will debut on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.
For the first time ever, Hard Knocks goes behind the scenes of an entire NFL division.#HardKnocks In-Season with the AFC North premieres December 3 on @StreamOnMax.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 17, 2024
📝: https://t.co/MGeXG3AxRZ pic.twitter.com/y6sy34XisQ
The AFC North is currently considered the most difficult division in football, ensuring that fans will be glued to their TVs when the in-season series begins. The Steelers don't start playing within their division until Week 11, which disappointed many fans when the schedule was revealed.
Some speculate that the NFL might have planned this schedule with the upcoming series in mind, hinting that the division games were intentionally set for later in the season to align with the series. Given that this is the first time the entire division is being featured, this theory makes sense.
Steelers' Patrick Queen Set To Be An Incredible Story In Hard Knocks
The Steelers made a lot of exciting moves this offseason, and the entire division has intriguing storylines. Watching Derrick Henry suit up for the Baltimore Ravens midseason will be thrilling. The rivalries in the AFC North are fierce, making this series even more exciting as it features the most competitive division in football.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Russell Wilson throwing the football during OTAs as Justin Fields watches.
The Ravens-Steelers rivalry has produced some iconic games, and all these teams and their fanbases have intense animosities. This series is going to be one to remember. Watching Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and even Justin Fields as the quarterbacks will be thrilling.
The Steelers' quarterback room will certainly be a highlight throughout the series. While Wilson is set to be the starter, Fields has a chance to steal the job. No one knows where these teams will stand by the time the series starts, but it's safe to say that Fields and Wilson will be prominently featured.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen runs a drill while working on a sled during the team's 2024 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in Pittsburgh, PA.
Another captivating storyline is Patrick Queen facing his former team, the Ravens. Queen joined the Steelers this offseason through free agency after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Ravens. Having faced criticism from his former team, he is eager to embrace his role as the villain in Pittsburgh. This will be highlighted in the exclusive series, adding another layer of excitement.
The Steelers are set to be part of one of the most unique sports Hard Knocks ever. With captivating storylines throughout, this series is set to be a must-watch. Football fans will be eagerly counting down the days until it airs. The AFC North, the best division in football, has the potential to deliver the most compelling in-season documentary in recent years.
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