The NFL’s annual offseason reality television show is following a contender in 2025.
For the first time, the ‘Hard Knocks’ sports documentary show will follow the Buffalo Bills. Last season was another success for the team as they won a fifth consecutive AFC East title and made it to the AFC championship game, while quarterback Josh Allen won NFL MVP honors.
The 2025 season marks the ninth under coach Sean McDermott and eighth with Allen under center. The duo has established the Bills as one of the top teams in the league and an annual AFC contender against the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.
‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Buffalo Bills’ will follow the team from St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, over five episodes, which will stream on HBO Max.
The new season premieres Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 9 p.m. ET. A team like this has plenty of intrigue as they’re preparing for another postseason run and a potential championship.
Here are five storylines we’re looking forward to following on Hard Knocks this season:
Will James Cook get an extension?
The Bills’ top running back isn’t holding out but has been outspoken about wanting to get an extension done. He tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024 and made his second consecutive Pro Bowl. He’s confident in what he’s shown on the field and spoke on Thursday, July 24 about the importance of being at camp.
‘It’s my job,’ Cook said. ‘I got to participate out here so I won’t get fined. And just come out here and show them I’m ready to go and earn what I got to go get.’
Cook was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and will be the 18th-highest paid running back in the league in 2025 at $5.7 million, per Spotrac. That puts him behind the likes of Chuba Hubbard, Travis Etienne and Devin Singletary.
It’s currently not a contentious standoff between the two sides, but it’s one of the bigger storylines of the Bills’ offseason. We will hopefully get a closer look at negotiations thanks to Hard Knocks.
Keon Coleman in year two
The Bills’ top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had a solid but unspectacular rookie season with 556 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. Compared to other top-50 wide receivers in the class, it was disappointing, especially compared to Los Angeles’ Ladd McConkey selected one pick later.
Coleman agrees.
‘You want to know exactly what I see?’ Coleman said when asked about reviewing his 2024 tape. ‘Man, that (expletive) trash. You got to be better, simple as that … call out everything you’re doing wrong to make it right.’
He’s outspoken and one of the funnier young players behind closed doors. During his combine interview with the Bills, Coleman said he likes to golf and go bowling when not playing football.
‘I’m Tiger ‘wish-he-could,’ I’m not Tiger Woods,’ he said as Bills officials laughed. ‘I wish I could putt and do all that … it might take me five (shots) just to putt it in but I’m going to go have fun. Like, you know, it’s controlled chaos.’
Coleman quotes alone should be must-watch TV.
Josh Allen, board game MVP
Allen became the first Bills player to earn NFL MVP honors since 1973. He’s had a busy offseason as well, marrying actress Hailee Steinfeld in a ceremony in Montecito, California.
Allen’s training camp performances will be closely tracked given the pressure on him and the team following a close loss to the Chiefs in last year’s AFC championship game. To clear his mind and provide another way to bond with teammates, Allen taught fellow players the popular board game ‘Settlers of Catan.’
He started playing during 2020 and is well-established as the top player on the Bills in the game.
‘I just hate when Josh wins, honestly,’ Bills tight end Dawson Knox told ESPN in 2024. ‘But no, it’s been fun. We’re definitely not teaming up against him, but we just, we hate when he wins. ‘
There’s a good chance ‘Settlers of Catan’ comes up at some point during training camp. Good luck to anyone trying to beat the MVP.
How are the Bills’ free agents fitting in?
Buffalo spent money in free agency to bolster both the offense and defense like a true Super Bowl contender. On offense, the biggest signing was wide receiver Joshua Palmer, with more depth pieces brought in among the pass catchers. The defense saw more big names like edge rusher Joey Bosa, cornerback Tre’Davious White, defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and cornerback Dane Jackson.
That’s a lot of big names who could have important roles in 2025 for a team with aspirations of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February 2026. How well and how quickly each of them get settled in with their respective units will be important to follow throughout this season of Hard Knocks.
How much will the rookie defensive linemen play?
Buffalo spent a lot of top draft capital on the defensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft, starting in the second round with defensive tackle T.J. Sanders. The Bills then selected athletic edge rusher Landon Jackson in Round 3 and massive defensive tackle Deone Walker in Round 4.
These players likely won’t have huge roles in 2025 but will be contributors on a rotational basis as they represent the potential future of the defensive line in Buffalo.
Jackson was an NFL combine darling for his athletic feats and could offer some splash plays in the offseason. Walker, at 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds, is one of the biggest players on the team in the mold of longtime Bills nosetackle DaQuan Jones. Walker and Jones’ interactions could be interesting to follow as Walker develops behind the 33-year-old veteran.