Bear Digest

Bears Most Likely to Own the HBO Hard Knocks Camera

The most anticipated thing about Hard Knocks' benind-the-scenes look at Halas Hall training camp is who is likely to become the object of the camera's eye, and here are nominees.

Gene Chamberlain

Will Matt Eberflus emerge as a star in HBO's Hard Knocks like Rex Ryan and Jon Gruden did? It's possible, but someone will.
Will Matt Eberflus emerge as a star in HBO's Hard Knocks like Rex Ryan and Jon Gruden did? It's possible, but someone will. / Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
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With HBO's Hard Knocks coming to Halas Hall for the first time this training camp, everyone potentially becomes a star of the small screen.

Players, coaches and even fans attending camp can wind up on television.

Quirks pop up, like Rams defensive end William Hayes not believing in the past existence of dinosaurs but believing in mermaids, 325-pound Vince Wilfork kicking field goals and wearing cowboy boots with bib overall shorts and no shirt, Harry Douglas and his women's deodorant and Tim Johnson imitating Shannon Sharpe to the delight of Ravens teammates.

Some star players become show their personalities, like Chad Johnson and Sharpe did, while completely unknowns like John "The Terminator" Conner, Riley Bullough, Charles James II and Margus Hunt are transformed from names at the bottom of a roster to players fans live and die with on a weekly basis as they try to make the cut.

Here are Bears most likely to become stars, whether they like it or not.

1. Caleb Williams

He already is the star, as the No. 1 pick of the draft and the Heisman winner, but he'll probably log more air time now than Walter Cronkite. The bearclaw, his arm, his personality and status as a possible savior of the Bears organization are made for HBO.

2. DJ Moore

The Bears already showed off Moore's personality themselves with their schedule release video, when he starred as a sort of DJ Bueller at a fictitious Halas Hall school. Moore always has media laughing at some point Wednesday through Friday each week or after games. It only makes sense they'll capture this on Hard Knocks.

3. Jaylon Johnson

Brutally honest and always willing to express himself, Johnson almost might seem too obvious a target for the cameras but they'll soon find they can't avoid him. They might need a few bleeps in there, but it is cable. Will his big contract and All-Pro status change him? Tune in and find out.

4. Matt Eberflus 

Considering Jon Gruden and Rex Ryan were two of the most popular coaches on the show, Eberflus' personality doesn't quite seem like a fit. But here is where the benind-the-scenes aspect will work. Eberflus is always the one giving nicknames to players and stirring things up with challenges. He'll naturally be on camera a lot anyway, as the head coach. It's a chance for him to show what he really brings to the franchise as the boss on field.

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5. Teven Jenkins

In a sport when offensive linemen get labeled as a "faceless" group, Jenkins' personality can't be hidden by a facemask. He's self-critical almost to a fault, humble but funny, and will generate excitement in film sessions with pancake blocks.

6. Jaquan Brisker

Their third-year safety is always talking and hollering anyway. The cameras will naturally focus on this. Brisker has been trying to assume a leadership role over the last year and with Eddie Jackson now gone he might be the leader in the secondary even though Johnson is there.

7. Jonathan Owens

When HBO sees he's Simone Biles' husband, they'll love this. The only problem is Biles will be in France for the Olympics when much of the show is taped, but should be around at some point either before the Olympics or after they end.

8. Cole Kmet

He has the look of a TV star, and the personality.

9. Keenan Allen

He'll be treated with reverence by teammates after 11 NFL seasons and what seems like a Hall of Fame career, and this is going to be picked up right away by the cameras.

10. Rome Odunze

The whole Moore and Allen mentoring the rookie scenario might appeal to Hard Knocks, especially if it means Allen helping train Odunze to take his job for 2025. As Williams' sidekick, he's going to get into plenty of video anyway.

11. Tyler Scott

If they get around to listening to the wide receivers, they'll find he could do as good a job as a Hard Knocks narrator as Liev Schreiber does.

12. Kyler Gordon

His whole Spider-Man shtick seems made for cameras.     

13. Keith Randolph Jr.

The camera always looks for a player fighting for a roster spot and Randolph is facing an uphill battle. It will be a numbers game at defensive tackle, as 2023 seventh-rounder Travis Bell found out last year. An undrafted player with some talent but small chance at making it could be their choice to follow. Other potentials for this cut/interest story include Kevin Sweeney, trying to be the third tight end in a comeback from injuries and a COVID-related heart ailment, or a total unknown like undrafted receiver Peter LeBlanc.

14. Kerry Joseph

The Bears quarterbacks coach is going to be in numerous shots just by being around Williams all of the time. He can't help being on screen.

15. Kevin Warren

The Bears president is always one to find the cameras anyway. When you're looking to build a new stadium it helps, just like shaking a few hands does.

16. Tony Medlin

The long-time equipment manager. Everyone loves Tony.

17. George McCaskey

The fact he didn't want them on HBO is an open invitation for cameras to get him on there. McCaskey comes to enough practices to be found easily. If they do follow him, they might actually find out how funny he can be. Who could be better for TV than a former TV reporter who was an assistant state's attorney and owns the team?

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

BearDigest.com publisher Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.