


The spotlight may be unavoidable for the Jets this season.
The NFL may be tapping Gang Green to appear in “Hard Knocks” this summer, according to a report from Pro Football Talk.
The Jets are reportedly preparing for the possibility of having to be the focal point of the behind-the-scenes HBO documentary series shot during training camp, despite expressing their desire not to be part of this year’s show.
The Jets are one of four teams that fits the “Hard Knocks” criteria to be “compelled” to do the show.
The other three teams are the Bears, Saints and Commanders.
Under the guidelines set, teams can be compelled to appear if they do not have a new head coach, have not been to the playoffs in the previous two seasons and have not been the subject of the show in the past decade.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh is going into his third season leading Gang Green, the Jets haven’t made a postseason appearance since 2010, which coincidentally was the last time the organization was featured on the program.
The Jets have tried to make it as clear as possible that they do not want the added distraction this upcoming season.
“I know there are several teams that would love for ‘Hard Knocks’ to be in their building. We’re just not one of them,” Saleh told reporters this month.
Jets wide receiver Justin Hardee Sr. had sent out a tweet in April decrying the possibility of the team ending up on the show.
“Man y’all can give hard knocks to another team man we tryna focus and win that’s a distraction,” he posted.
Still, the Jets have one of the most intriguing storylines of those four teams with the arrival of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and talented young stars in Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner.
There’s also the drama with Quinnen Williams’ push for a new contract that would likely get significant play on “Hard Knocks.”
Williams, who earned All-Pro honors last season, has not taken part in any of the Jets’ offseason activities and it’s unclear if he’ll report to training camp without an extension in place.

The Jets aren’t totally unfamiliar with cameras getting an inside look at their operations since the team does produce its own documentary series, “One Jets Drive.”
The arrival of Rodgers has already been felt by the Jets with their significant increase to six prime-time games next season and a greater microscope on the team nationally.