Knock, knock: Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked for HBO's "Hard Knocks"

HBO training camp documentary series "Hard Knocks" will feature the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in August.

The Buccaneers are expected to make a formal announcement about their featured role in the summer football staple on Wednesday. Episodes will begin airing in August.

In 2016, the Los Angeles Rams were the focus of the series, which began in 2001.

Eight teams were eligible for the show, but many coaches and their staffs aren't eager to welcome the HBO cameras behind the scenes during preseason preparations, fearing a loss of focus or leaked information that could result in a competitve advantage for other teams.

The NFL established parameters for being in the pool of possible participants, and eight teams qualified in 2017.

The non-playoff participants who didn't make a coaching change were up for the spotlight, including the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Buccaneers.