Yesterday, the Washington Commanders eked past the New York Giants 24–21 in a comeback win that kept their playoff dreams within the realm of possibility.
This morning, fans woke up to another win of sorts: ABC announced that Washington’s backup quarterback and perennial heartthrob Sam Hartman will star in the next season of “The Bachelor.”
Though Hartman had a strong college football career at Wake Forest University and the University of Notre Dame, he went undrafted in 2024. He played in three preseason games for the Commanders this August, but has yet to play in an official NFL game. That’s unlikely to change soon—he’s stuck on Washington’s practice squad right now, and is listed as their fifth-string quarterback.
Nonetheless, Hartman has amassed a cult following for his Adonis-like looks and social media presence. Former NFL coach Kliff Kingsbury said last year he wouldn’t let Hartman date his daughter because “he’s way too good looking,” while sportswriter Tom Haberstroh predicted that the quarterback would end up on “The Bachelor” no less than five years ago.
There’s also the 2025 video where a fan asks Hartman, “Would you mind saying hi to my mom, Susan? She thinks you’re super hot.”
“Susan, I don’t discriminate from age,” Hartman replies.
Hartman said on Good Morning America this morning that he is looking for compassion and “competitiveness” in a partner. His dream partner, he added, should “have a drive for something.”
The North Carolina native will be the third NFL player to star as the “Bachelor.” Jesse Palmer, a former backup quarterback for the Giants, starred in the 2004 season of the show and has since become its host, and Colton Underwood, a former practice squad player for three NFL teams, was a “Bachelor” in 2019. Neither saw romantic success on the show; While Palmer handed out the final rose on his season, he did not propose and the relationship ended a few weeks later. Underwood also ended his season without an engagement (he later came out as gay).
Hartman told GMA he was hesitant to accept the role and that it was Palmer who convinced him to do the show. “I have a tough time holding a conversation with one girl,” he added. “Thirty is going to be pretty tough.”
Season 30 of “The Bachelor” is scheduled to premiere on March 21, 2027.
