- 9 new HC teams don't qualify
- Playoff teams from the past 2 years can't be forced (DQs: TEN, KC, BUF, CIN, NE, PIT, GB, TB, DAL, LAR, AZ, SF, PHI, BAL, CLE, IND, SEA, WFT)
- Teams that have been on Hard Knocks the past 10 years also DQ'd (ATL, LAR)

— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) January 25, 2022