One compelling story line when the show debuts on Aug. 7 will no doubt be Coach Hue Jackson, who has somehow kept his job. “We are excited about what we are building within our organization and feel good about the progress we have made this off-season,” Jackson said optimistically.

Another is the quarterback situation. The Browns have struggled to find an adequate starter, using 29 quarterbacks since returning to Cleveland, including such long-forgotten signal-callers as Spergon Wynn, Thad Lewis and Ken Dorsey and the probably better forgotten Johnny Manziel. Last year’s starter, the rookie DeShone Kizer, put up poor numbers, and the Browns have since acquired Tyrod Taylor from the Bills and drafted the Heisman-Trophy winner Baker Mayfield out of Oklahoma with the No. 1 pick.

“We’re looking forward to showing N.F.L. fans around the world what the Haslams, John Dorsey, Hue Jackson and the coaching staff are doing to rebuild the team and reboot one of the most iconic franchises in sports,” Ketover added, seriously stretching the meaning of “iconic.”

The Browns agreed to participate, as have other teams featured in the series.

In an HBO news release, the team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said they had been contacted about being on “Hard Knocks” multiple times over the years, but that the timing was not right until this year.

“Organizationally, we are confident about where we are headed, but we have a lot of work to do in order for this franchise to earn the respect of our fans on the field,” they acknowledged.