HBO’s Hard Knocks is reportedly planning to follow both the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams for 2020 training camp if the camp is not canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
There has not been any confirmation about the training camp for the Rams and Chargers at this time. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the league wants to “supersize” Hard Knocks and follow both Los Angeles-based teams as they prepare to open SoFi Stadium this year. With both teams being considered the NFL’s biggest disappointments last season by failing to make the playoffs despite having preseason Super Bowl expectations. The Rams and Chargers both provide interesting storyline dynamics that would make for compelling television.
Training camp itself is mired in uncertainty as the nation deals with the coronavirus pandemic, which already forced the NFL to hold a virtual draft and cancel its annual league meetings
The Chargers are in the midst of a retooling of their own, having allowed longtime quarterback Philip Rivers to walk in free agency. Tyrod Taylor is slotted in on paper as their starter, but that’s not expected to stick. Taylor will likely either be a stopgap for a young quarterback selected in April’s draft or compete with another veteran, such as Cam Newton or Jameis Winston.
While the Rams go from having head coach Sean McVay who was wunderkind to having the league figure out his offensive scheme. Quarterback, Jared Goffwent from promising young quarterback to one of the worst starters in football. And running back Todd Gurley had such an injury-riddled and frustrating 2019 season that the Rams chose to take a massive cap hit and cut him this offseason. That’s all without mentioning the arrival of Jalen Ramsey, who cost the Rams two first-round picks when their pick cupboard was already bare.
The Rams will enter 2020 with a top-heavy roster that’s clearly built to contend for titles but is simultaneously just the third-most talented team in its own division.
