Packers' President Mark Murphy Trolls Jets over 'Hard Knocks'

NFL executive implies Gang Green is the choice for summertime docuseries

Sarah Kloepping / USA TODAY NETWORK

Green Bay Packers' CEO Mark Murphy subtly mentioned the New York Jets in the latest edition of the monthly column he writes for the team's official website.

Replying to a comment from "Tom" in the July 1 installment of Murphy Takes 5, the NFL executive revealed who he believes will be the featured team for HBO's Hard Knocks docuseries this summer.

"I'm anxious to see the Jets and the many ex-Packers on 'Hard Knocks' this summer – should be very entertaining," wrote Murphy.

The NFL and HBO have yet to announce the participating franchise, but heightened speculation points to the Jets as the landing spot for the NFL Fims production crew this preseason. Last year's participant, the Detroit Lions, was known by March 2022.

With Jets' Training Camp less than three weeks away, a decision has likely been made much to the chagrin of head coach Robert Saleh.

"I know there’s several teams that would love for 'Hard Knocks' to be in their building, but we’re just not one of them," said Saleh last month.

Murphy presumably knew about Saleh's lack of desire to open up his entire operation to the television cameras while slickly sliding the Jets into his column.

Despite Saleh's distaste for the idea of Gang Green starring in a television reality show, a Hard Knocks summer likely won't result in the negative effect that the head coach seeks to avoid. The last six teams to host the series all went on to win more regular season games than they did the year prior. 

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READ Inside the 'Hard Knocks' Effect that Featured Teams Face

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After captivating the HBO audience in 2010, Rex Ryan and the Jets proceeded to post an 11-5 record while reaching the AFC Championship Game for the second year in a row.

Excerpt from "MT5: Training camp is special time of year in Green Bay":

A question from Tom

Tom: I don't have a question today, just a comment. No "Hard Knocks" … ever, never, ever. Fight it tooth and nail, I don't want to see this travesty in Green Bay. If asked, it's a hard "no." No compromise. No, "Yes we'll do it in exchange for … " Never, ever, never.

Mark Murphy: Let me get this straight, Tom, you don't think we should ever appear on "Hard Knocks"? "Hard Knocks" is a great show and gives fans an inside look at a team's training camp. It also provides good publicity for the team. The downside is that it can be a distraction and teams are concerned that other teams can learn information from the show. The best thing to do if you don't want to be on "Hard Knocks" is to make the playoffs every year. The league (and HBO) can only require a team to appear on "Hard Knocks" if they have failed to make the playoffs two years in a row. I'm anxious to see the Jets and the many ex-Packers on "Hard Knocks" this summer – should be very entertaining.

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