Hard Knocks episodes guide: Updated reviews and highlights from 2025 Buffalo Bills training camp

Dan Treacy

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Hard Knocks episodes guide: Updated reviews and highlights from 2025 Buffalo Bills training camp image

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"Hard Knocks" is back for another season, and the Bills are back in the spotlight less than eight months after their season ended in devastating fashion at Arrowhead Stadium.

Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and his talented supporting cast are looking to finally break through and reach the Super Bowl, at the very least, this season. The start of their journey is being captured by HBO cameras, which will keep a close eye on all of the successes, disappointments and drama from Bills training camp.

The Bills tend to stay away from drama, thanks partly to Allen's demeanor, but their most pressing situation this summer might be the contract status of RB James Cook, who is set to be a free agent in March. Cook began training camp on the practice field but has since started a "hold in," sitting out of practice while still attending camp.

From dealing with Super Bowl expectations to making painful roster decisions ahead of the late August deadline, the Bills bring no shortage of storylines to "Hard Knocks" even if they handle their business quietly. 

Here's a complete look at the highlights and reactions from each "Hard Knocks" episode featuring the Bills. 

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Hard Knocks episodes 2025

Episode 1

  • Release date: Aug. 5

The first episode of the season saw the Bills players moving into St. John Fischer University. They are one of only five teams still doing training camp at a school. The episode was largely focused on reigning MVP Josh Allen. We got a look at Dion Dawkins' favorite hobby, which is drifting. 

Fans also got to meet Maxwell Hairston, Buffalo's first-round pick, who is a speedy cornerback. He is getting mentored by the veteran Tre'Davious White, who is back with the Bills this season and vying to get his own ice cream flavor at a local spot. Hairston suffered a knee injury, but initial concern was that he had torn his ACL; however, his ligaments were intact, and he will only be sidelined for a few weeks. 

Allen took a tour of the new Bills stadium, which is currently under construction. The episode ended with the team's scrimmage, and the footage was set to the team's anthem, "Mr. Brightside."  

Episode 2

  • Release date: Aug. 12

The second episode of "Hard Knocks" aired three days after Buffalo's preseason opener against the Giants, featuring looks at preparations for that matchup and the game itself. Towards the beginning and end of the episode, fans went in-depth with second-year linebacker Joe Andreessen, who earned the nickname "Buffalo Joe" after growing up a Bills fan then earning a roster spot in 2024.

James Cook's contract hold-in was covered, with shots of the running back sitting in meetings but not practicing. Fellow running back Ray Davis got more reps in his absence, including some unique emergency kicker duties.

Additionally, some time was spent focusing on receiver K.J. Hamler as he seeks to make his first NFL roster since 2022. Hamler riding a scooter around camp was one of the most viral moments from the episode:

The second episode continued with Sean McDermott speaking about his past battle with skin cancer, and the head coach also calling former Bills coach Marv Levy for Levy's 100th birthday. Buffalo's quarterback room beyond Josh Allen is another theme, with an eye on the QB2 competition between Mitchell Tribusky and Mike White. 

"Hard Knocks" also revisited Damar Hamlin's 2023 cardiac arrest on the field and the safety's journey since that moment, including a CPR awareness event at this year's camp and a segment focused on Hamlin sharing his faith as he seeks to write a book. 

The second episode wraps up with the Bills moving out from St. John Fischer University in anticipation of the preseason, then a segment breaking down their matchup against the Giants, a 34-25 loss that included a solid performance from running back Frank Gore Jr.

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Episode 3

  • Release date: Aug. 19

The third episode of "Hard Knocks" aired on Aug. 19, two days after the Bills' preseason game against the Bears. The episode opens during a team meeting with McDermott addressing the team. His message is that he wants all phases of the team - the offense, defense and special teams - always to attack. McDermott also reiterates that there are no guarantees in the NFL, and they have to work to be a good team again.

We then see running back James Cook's hold-in end as he signs his extension. He then joins practice in pads to applause from his teammates. After showing clips of Cook running at practice, we get introduced to Ed Oliver and his horses. He has backup running back Ty Johnson with him, and they clean up the stable and ride horses together.

"Hard Knocks" then introduces us to Jimmy Ciarlo, who played his college ball at Army and was signed a few days before the Bills' first preseason game. He made a big tackle on a kickoff and got praised for it by his team. Ciarlo tore his ACL in his first preseason game with the Jets in 2024. 

The episode continues with Connor McGovern hosting a pizza party at his house. He was bored during COVID and said he taught himself how to make pizzas. He made them for the team, and they started winning, so he kept the tradition and now hosts the whole team. 

We then go to Chicago, where the Bills will play their second preseason game. There is a joint practice, and a fight breaks out, but it ends relatively quickly with not much drama. The game itself begins, and the Bills get absolutely blown out by the Bears, losing 38-0. 

Episode 4

  • Release date: Aug. 26

The penultimate episode of "Hard Knocks" aired on Aug. 26, which was the official roster cut-down day in the NFL. However, with those roster decisions more likely to be detailed in the final episode, Episode 4 opened with McDermott guiding a late-preseason practice, with the Bills' staff also highlighting what they look for in players to keep them on the roster.

"Hard Knocks" then takes a look at bio-mechanic systems and cameras that are used to break down the Bills quarterbacks' arm motions, including Josh Allen's. Wide receiver K.J. Hamler is once again highlighted as he competes to make the team, and the show looks back on his 2023 pericarditis diagnosis. A spotlight also remains on Ciarlo, who shares how he unexpectedly saw time at nickel in a preseason game, and Frank Gore Jr., who breaks down his relationship with his father.

The episode features a brief segment on DT Casey Rogers helping with a local dog rescue program, then it cuts to general manager Brandon Beane and the front office assessing where they stand on the bubble roster players before a final preseason matchup against the Buccaneers. Prior to the final game action, Allen and some other players sing along to "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," in a highlight sequence.

McDermott sits down for some advice from two NBA Hall of Famers, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, who are minority owners of the Bills. The head coach later tells his players that he's proud of them and the work they put in, and the final portion of the episode is footage from the Bills vs. Buccaneers preseason matchup.

Included from the game are shots of Vince Carter briefly talking to Allen, Shane Buechele getting the start at quarterback, tight end Zach Davidson being used as an emergency punter, Tampa Bay's Shilo Sanders throwing a punch and being ejected, Ciarlo recovering a fumble and Buffalo claiming a 23-19 win. 

Episode 5

  • Release date: Sept. 2

The final episode of "Hard Knocks" will be released on Sept. 2 and should feature highlights from roster cut-down day, including difficult conversations and a few players receiving the heartwarming news that they made the Bills' roster.

What night is Hard Knocks on?

"Hard Knocks" will air on HBO and HBO Max each Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET from Aug. 5 through Sept. 2. Tuesday has long been the traditional release day for "Hard Knocks" episodes.

How many Hard Knocks episodes?

HBO will air five 'Hard Knocks" episodes this summer. The first episode typically serves as an introduction, featuring the early days of training camp as players settle in, while the following three all air shortly after one of the team's preseason games. The final episode typically features some of the most notable moments from the team's roster cut-down decisions at the end of training camp.

Hard Knocks schedule 2025

The 2025 season of "Hard Knocks" debuts on Aug. 5 and runs through Sept. 2, with each episode airing on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET. 

EpisodeAir dateTime (ET)TV channelLive stream
1Aug. 59 p.m.HBOHBO Max
2Aug. 129 p.m.HBOHBO Max
3Aug. 199 p.m.HBOHBO Max
4Aug. 269 p.m.HBOHBO Max
5Sept. 29 p.m.HBOHBO Max

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.