In a joint Instagram announcement from both ABC and the show, it was announced on November 13, 2026, that quarterback Sam Hartman will be starring in the landmark 30th season of The Bachelor. Sam Hartman, the 27-year-old athlete, was described as a surprising pick for the bachelor role by Sports Illustrated.
It is reported by Sports Illustrated that the new season will kick off on March 21, 2027. Hartman will participate in first dates and roses ceremonies as he seeks a romantic relationship through the show. The report by ABC News also confirmed that the new season will be aired in March.
Hartman played five seasons at Wake Forest University before moving to Notre Dame in the 2023 season. It is reported by Sports Illustrated that Hartman completed more than 15,000 passing yards and 134 touchdowns throughout his college career. A single season at Notre Dame made him a known figure not only on the field but also outside, partly due to his long hair and bearded look.
However, despite such statistics at college, Hartman was not drafted by any NFL team in the 2024 NFL Draft. Hartman signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent and was playing mainly on the practice squad. According to NBC Sports, in August 2026, he had no regular season appearance with the team.
NBC Sports reported on August 30, 2026, that the Commanders would release Hartman because of cutting the roster to 53 players. However, ABC News and the Sports Illustrated article in November say that he is still a Commanders quarterback. As those reports give inconsistent information about his current roster status, it would be good to look at the official transactions page of the team.
The Bachelor will not be the first taste of reality television for Hartman. According to Sports Illustrated, Hartman had already participated in the Netflix series titled "QB1: Beyond the Lights," which featured top-notch high school quarterbacks dreaming of playing football one day. His experience in this series could have been what made him suitable for the series.
Jesse Palmer, who is currently hosting the Bachelor, was once an NFL quarterback before he became the fifth bachelor on the show in 2004. Sports Illustrated noted how Hartman was taking almost an identical career path to Jesse Palmer.
Responses on Instagram started coming in fast. Some people noted that the casting had inspired them to start watching the show once again, while one person stated that they had not watched it in four years. Football fans were also surprised to find out that an active quarterback would be starring in the show. The effect it will have in terms of ratings will be known once the show premieres in March.
