Seahawks to be featured on 'Hard Knocks' summer 2026, Pats 2027 - ESPN

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will be featured on this summer's «Hard Knocks,» it was announced to clubs at the NFL's annual meeting, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday.

Then in the summer of 2027, the New England Patriots will be featured on the long-running series produced by NFL Films for HBO. It will be the first appearance for both franchises, which most recently met in Super Bowl LX — with the Seahawks posting a 29-13 victory in Santa Clara, California.

This will be the first time since «Hard Knocks» launched in 2001 with the Baltimore Ravens that the series has documented the defending Super Bowl champion.

The Seahawks, under third-year coach Mike Macdonald, will be looking to match the Kansas City Chiefs — who won Super Bowls LVII and LVIII in 2023-24 — as the latest back-to-back champions.

Prior to the Chiefs, the last team to win consecutive Super Bowls was the Patriots in 2003-04.

The Seahawks recently signed receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. They also have veteran quarterback Sam Darnold and an unheralded defense that spearheaded their Super Bowl triumph over the Patriots.

The Seahawks are scheduled to open the 2026 regular season Wednesday, Sept. 9 at home. Their opponent is yet to be determined, and the Patriots are among the possibilities for that game as well.

New England's 2027 «Hard Knocks» appearance signals the growing appeal of the franchise under coach Mike Vrabel and emerging star quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots were one of the NFL's biggest surprises in 2025, posting a 14-3 record after back-to-back