Josh Allen’s birthday came with an unexpected twist from the NFL.
On May 21—his 29th birthday—it was announced that the star quarterback would be featured on “Hard Knocks,” which means much of his training camp will be captured on camera.
“That was a bit of a shock,” Allen shared with USA Today on Monday. “Teams that usually make the playoffs weren’t part of the discussion.”
The Bills had a strong season, reaching the playoffs but falling short of the Super Bowl after losing to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
Previously, league rules excluded playoff teams from the last two years, those with new head coaches, or any team that had already been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the last decade.
However, the owners decided to change these playoff restrictions ahead of the 2024 season.
“I didn’t react too much at first,” Allen admitted. “But I think it’s a great chance for people to get to know the fantastic guys on our team and the amazing women on our staff.”
“We need to stay focused, but it’s a fun opportunity to showcase our personalities.”
The Bills are looking forward to sharing more of their journey through the HBO Max show, especially after limited access in previous years.
The Giants, meanwhile, faced criticism during a key offseason decision related to “Hard Knocks: Front Office,” a show that has since been canceled and was led by coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Shane.
Other teams, like John Gruden’s Oakland Raiders, also had challenging experiences with the show.
The Jets made headlines by acquiring Aaron Rodgers in 2023 and tried every possible way to avoid being featured on the show.
Despite a request from former head coach Robert Saleh, the Jets ended up on “Hard Knocks” before a disappointing regular season.
Looking ahead, Buffalo is being considered a contender for the 2025 Super Bowl, with head coach Sean McDermott signed through 2027.
