Sam Hartman is about to take on a very different kind of competition.
The Washington Commanders quarterback has officially been announced as the next star of ABC’s The Bachelor, putting him in the spotlight for a reason other than football.
The 27-year-old will lead the show’s upcoming 30th season, where he’ll have the opportunity to find love among a group of eligible contestants.
Here’s what to know about Hartman’s unexpected new television role and when viewers can tune in.
Meet Sam Hartman, the Commanders quarterback heading to reality TV
Hartman might be familiar to Washington football fans, but his latest career development has little to do with throwing touchdowns.
The Charlotte, North Carolina, native played college football at Wake Forest before transferring to Notre Dame for his final collegiate season in 2023. He went undrafted in 2024 before joining the Washington Commanders, spending much of his time with the organization on its practice squad.
Although he hasn’t appeared in a regular-season NFL game, Hartman has built a following among football fans, with his college career and appearances in the football documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights helping introduce him to a wider audience.
Now, he’s preparing to become the leading man in one of television’s best-known dating franchises.
Hartman initially turned down the opportunity
Interestingly, becoming the next Bachelor wasn’t necessarily part of Hartman’s original plans.
According to reports surrounding the announcement, the quarterback initially declined the opportunity before changing his mind following a conversation with former Bachelor and NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, who now hosts the franchise.
Hartman also shared some insight into what he’s hoping to find in a potential partner.
He’s looking for someone who is driven, compassionate and competitive, suggesting that finding a teammate for life is just as important to him as finding one on the football field.
He also joked about the challenge of dating 30 women, admitting that even holding a conversation with one woman can sometimes be difficult.
When does Sam Hartman’s season of The Bachelor premiere?
Hartman will lead the 30th season of The Bachelor, marking a new chapter for the ABC franchise.
The upcoming season is scheduled to premiere on March 21, 2027, at 8 pm ET on ABC. Episodes will also be available to stream the following day on Hulu and Disney+.
The casting is an interesting crossover between professional football and reality television, particularly given Hartman’s connection to Washington’s NFL franchise.
For Commanders fans, it’ll certainly be a different experience watching Hartman compete for roses rather than a spot in the quarterback room.
And for Bachelor Nation, there’s a new leading man to get to know when the show returns next spring.
