It’s the “Hard Knocks” we’ve all been hoping for.
On Monday, the Oakland Raiders made it official, announcing coach Jon Gruden’s misfit crew will star in the all-access HBO show.
Football fans have long-wanted an inside look at the machinations of the weirdly run franchise, especially with the brash and at-times-questionable Gruden.
The reality show, a five-episode peek behind the scenes of NFL teams entering its 14th season, will bring former ESPN analyst Gruden back to the masses, and possibly provide a window into the decision-making process that saw him trade star pass-rusher Khalil Mack, and then deal away up-and-coming wideout Amari Cooper in his return to the sidelines.
If that wasn’t enough dysfunction to begin with, don’t worry — there’s more.
On the heels of a 4-12 season, Gruden and Raiders GM Mike Mayock made some puzzling selections among their three first-round picks at the 2019 NFL draft — after sending all of the team’s scouts home — and then added mercurial receiver Antonio Brown after his unceremonious exit from Pittsburgh. Oh, and the defense will feature oft-suspended linebacker Vontaze Burfict and recently un-retired and unafraid-to-speak-his-mind offensive guard Richie Incognito, infamous for his role in a bullying scandal with the Dolphins.
“Everybody wants to be a Raider,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a release. “Now they’ll find out what it takes to become one.”
That’s what HBO is counting on, and hopefully they bring enough cameras to Raiders’ training camp.



