Sam Hartman is making headlines for a surprising career development that goes beyond football. The former Washington Commanders quarterback has officially been announced as the next star of ABC’s The Bachelor Season 30, bringing his football background into the world of reality television.
ABC revealed Hartman as the new Bachelor during Good Morning America on November 13, 2026. The announcement answers a major question among Bachelor Nation fans: Who is the next Bachelor?
Best known for playing college football at Wake Forest and Notre Dame, Hartman entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He later joined the Washington Commanders, where he continued pursuing his professional football career.
Now, Hartman is preparing for an entirely different challenge: meeting a group of women and potentially finding a lasting relationship on national television.
The upcoming season will mark the 30th installment of the popular ABC dating franchise and is scheduled to premiere in March 2027.
Who Is Sam Hartman?
Sam Hartman is an American football quarterback born on July 29, 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He became a recognizable name in college football through his performances at Wake Forest University and the University of Notre Dame.
Hartman attended Oceanside Collegiate Academy in South Carolina before beginning his college football career at Wake Forest in 2018.
During his time with the Demon Deacons, he developed into one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s (ACC) notable quarterbacks. His passing ability, experience and leadership helped establish his reputation as a productive college player.
After five seasons at Wake Forest, Hartman transferred to Notre Dame for the 2023 season.
His move to Notre Dame brought additional national attention, as he joined one of the most recognizable programs in college football.
Hartman finished his college career with 15,656 passing yards and 134 passing touchdowns across his time at Wake Forest and Notre Dame.
His accomplishments made him an established name among college football fans before he entered the professional ranks.
Sam Hartman’s Connection to the Washington Commanders
Sam Hartman’s professional football journey continued after the 2024 NFL Draft.
Although he was not selected by a team, the Washington Commanders signed him as an undrafted free agent. The opportunity allowed him to compete for a place in the NFL while developing his skills at the professional level.
Hartman spent time with Washington as a developmental quarterback and worked to earn opportunities within the organization.
He did not immediately secure a regular-season starting role, but his presence gave the Commanders additional quarterback depth.
For NFL players who enter the league without being drafted, joining a team as an undrafted free agent can be an important first step toward establishing a professional career.
Hartman’s experience with Washington also introduced him to the demands of professional football, including team preparation, practice schedules and competition for roster positions.
Did the Washington Commanders Cut Sam Hartman?
Yes. The Washington Commanders waived Sam Hartman during their roster reductions in August 2026.
However, his departure from the active roster did not mean his association with the organization was necessarily over.
On August 31, 2026, Washington signed Hartman to its practice squad.
An NFL practice squad gives players an opportunity to continue training with a professional organization while remaining available for potential promotion to the active roster.
Practice squad players participate in team preparation and help provide additional depth throughout the season.
Hartman’s move to the practice squad meant he could continue pursuing his NFL career even after missing out on a place on Washington’s initial 53-player roster.
His connection to the Commanders is an important part of his professional background as he prepares for his television debut.
Sam Hartman Is Officially the Next Bachelor
The biggest development in Hartman’s public career arrived on November 13, 2026.
ABC officially announced him as the leading man for The Bachelor Season 30 during Good Morning America.
His selection came as a surprise to some viewers because he is primarily known for football rather than previous appearances in the Bachelor franchise.
Traditionally, the show has often selected former contestants from The Bachelorette to become the next Bachelor. Hartman’s casting represents a different approach.
His college football accomplishments and professional experience give him an established public profile outside reality television.
During his television appearance, Hartman expressed excitement about the opportunity while acknowledging that dating in front of cameras could be challenging.
He also joked about the difficulty of having conversations with 30 women, suggesting that even speaking with one person can sometimes be challenging.
His comments offered viewers an early glimpse of his personality before the new season begins.
For ABC, Hartman’s selection creates an opportunity to introduce a different type of leading man to Bachelor Nation.
When Does the Next Season of The Bachelor Start?
ABC has confirmed that The Bachelor Season 30 will premiere on Sunday, March 21, 2027.
The milestone season will return to ABC after an extended break from the network’s regular programming schedule.
Here are the confirmed details:
- Show: The Bachelor
- Season: 30
- Premiere date: March 21, 2027
- Day: Sunday
- Time: 8 p.m. ET/PT
- Network: ABC
- Streaming: Hulu, with new episodes available the following day
- Bachelor: Sam Hartman
The March premiere represents a departure from the show’s traditional January launch window.
The series will also move to Sunday nights, giving viewers a different weekly schedule to follow.
ABC has confirmed the premiere date, but additional production information, including the complete contestant lineup, will be announced separately.
For viewers who prefer streaming, Hulu will provide another way to watch the season after its television broadcast.
Why Did ABC Choose Sam Hartman as the Next Bachelor?
Hartman’s selection is notable because his path to the franchise is different from that of many previous leads.
Rather than becoming famous through an earlier season of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, he built his public profile through college and professional football.
Several factors make his casting particularly interesting.
1. An Established Sports Background
Hartman already has recognition among college football fans because of his performances at Wake Forest and Notre Dame.
His experience as a quarterback gives him a background that is different from the traditional Bachelor contestant.
2. A Different Television Personality
Reality television audiences will get to see Hartman outside the competitive environment of professional football.
The show offers an opportunity to learn more about his personality, relationship expectations and approach to dating.
3. A New Audience for ABC
His football background could attract viewers who might not regularly watch the dating franchise.
The crossover between professional sports and reality television could become an interesting part of the upcoming season’s appeal.
4. A Fresh Direction for the Franchise
ABC’s decision to choose someone outside its traditional pool of former contestants represents a notable casting change.
It gives the 30th season a different identity while introducing a new leading man to Bachelor Nation.
What Happened to The Bachelorette in 2026?
The announcement of Hartman as the next Bachelor also comes after an unusual period for the franchise.
ABC had planned a season of The Bachelorette featuring Taylor Frankie Paul in 2026. However, the network canceled the planned season shortly before its scheduled premiere after controversy involving resurfaced footage of a 2023 domestic incident.
The decision created uncertainty about the future scheduling of the franchise.
It also raised questions about whether ABC would move forward with another season of The Bachelor and who might become its next leading man.
The November 13 announcement provides an answer.
Rather than relying on the usual casting route, ABC selected Hartman, giving the franchise a fresh direction for its milestone 30th season.
What Can Viewers Expect From Sam Hartman’s Bachelor Season?
Hartman’s upcoming season is expected to follow the familiar format that has made The Bachelor a recognizable reality television franchise.
He will meet a group of women who are interested in building a romantic relationship with him.
Throughout the season, contestants will participate in individual dates, group activities and other relationship-focused experiences.
The traditional rose ceremonies will determine which contestants continue and which leave the competition.
As the season progresses, Hartman will have to make increasingly difficult decisions about the relationships he wants to pursue.
For viewers, one of the biggest attractions will be seeing how someone with a professional sports background handles the emotional and social challenges of reality dating.
His experience in competitive football may have prepared him for pressure, but finding a compatible partner on television presents an entirely different challenge.
ABC has not yet released all the details about the contestants, filming schedule or individual dates.
Those details should become clearer as the premiere approaches.
Will Sam Hartman Continue His NFL Career With the Commanders?
Hartman’s appearance on The Bachelor raises questions about whether he intends to continue playing professional football.
His television casting does not automatically mean that he has retired from the NFL.
The Washington Commanders signed him to their practice squad in August 2026, allowing him to remain connected to the organization after the team’s roster cuts.
However, his future playing opportunities will depend on subsequent team decisions and his professional circumstances.
It is important to distinguish his television career from his football status.
Hartman has not been announced as a retired NFL player simply because he is becoming the next Bachelor.
His journey into reality television represents a new opportunity, while his professional football background remains an important part of his story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam Hartman and the Commanders
Who is the next Bachelor for 2027?
Sam Hartman is the officially announced lead for The Bachelor Season 30. ABC revealed his selection on November 13, 2026.
Is Sam Hartman a Washington Commanders player?
Hartman joined Washington as an undrafted free agent in 2024. After being waived during the team’s August 2026 roster reductions, he signed with the Commanders’ practice squad.
How old is Sam Hartman?
Sam Hartman was born on July 29, 1999. He is 27 years old as of November 2026.
When does The Bachelor Season 30 premiere?
Season 30 premieres on Sunday, March 21, 2027, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Where can I watch Sam Hartman on The Bachelor?
Viewers can watch the new season on ABC. Episodes will also be available on Hulu the following day.
Did Sam Hartman play for Notre Dame?
Yes. Hartman transferred to Notre Dame for the 2023 college football season after spending five seasons at Wake Forest.
Did Sam Hartman play in a regular-season NFL game for the Commanders?
Hartman spent time with Washington’s practice squad and had not appeared in a regular-season NFL game for the Commanders as of his Bachelor announcement.
Why is Sam Hartman becoming the Bachelor?
ABC selected Hartman as the lead for Season 30, although the network has not provided a detailed public explanation of its casting decision.
Final Thoughts
Sam Hartman’s transition from college football standout to Washington Commanders quarterback and now the next star of The Bachelor is an unexpected development. His selection gives ABC a fresh personality for its milestone 30th season and introduces his story to a much wider entertainment audience. With the premiere scheduled for March 21, 2027, viewers will soon find out whether Hartman can find lasting love away from the football field.
What do you think about Sam Hartman becoming the next Bachelor? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for the latest updates on his football career and the upcoming season.