LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Shannon Furman, the lead director for HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” knew the Chicago Bears were close to finalizing a contract extension with receiver DJ Moore.

“Because it was happening in ‘robos,’” she said.

The robotic camera in the corner of general manager Ryan Poles’ office and the microphone placed there were breaking the news.

“I texted Ryan and was like, ‘Hey, if he signs, are you going to do it in your office or will it be in a different room?” Furman said.

“And he was like, ‘That was weird.’”

It was weird because Furman knew ahead of time.

Poles was cool with it, though.

Moore did sign his deal in Poles’ office. The scene became one of the highlights of the first episode of “Hard Knocks” last week. It’s also an example of how the Bears have become a willing participant in the popular show.

“It’s been a good experience — a great experience actually,” Furman said.

Not every interaction makes the show. Some are better suited for outtakes or written stories like this. Furman said she also saw and overheard assistant GM Ian Cunningham ask Poles how the “Hard Knocks” crew handles its laundry.

It resulted in another text to Poles.

“Tell Ian that we have a coordinator who takes our laundry every six days to the laundromat and we get it back that night,” Furman said she texted. “They were just laughing at me.”

Over the course of a 30-minute conversation with The Athletic, Furman — who is in her 10th season on location for “Hard Knocks” — provided an inside look at how things work behind the scenes for the show that specializes in working behind the scenes.

Read more from this story here.