Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Hartman will star as the leading man on the 30th season of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” premiering on March 21, 2027.
Good Morning America reported on Nov. 13, 2026, that the 27-year-old signal-caller announced his new role during a morning broadcast appearance.
What to Know About Season 30
- Sam Hartman joins the show as an active NFL practice squad quarterback who has yet to appear in a regular-season game.
- The milestone 30th season debuts on March 21, 2027, on ABC and streams the following day on Hulu.
- Host Jesse Palmer convinced the rookie reality star to take the role after initial hesitation.
Quarterback Steps Into Reality Television Spotlight
“He kind of gave me the insight and gave me kind of what it is and what it's not,” Washington Commanders practice squad member Sam Hartman said of Jesse Palmer. ABC News reported that Hartman went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft before signing with Washington.
“I’m excited but also very nervous,” Hartman said on Good Morning America. “I have a tough time holding conversation with one girl. 30 is going to be pretty tough.”
ABC News said that Hartman has spent time on the practice squad since entering the league as an undrafted free agent.
Legacy on the Gridiron and Overcoming Medical Hurdles
Before entering the professional ranks, the Charlotte, North Carolina native established himself as a prolific collegiate passer. ABC News detailed that Hartman played five seasons at Wake Forest University before transferring to the University of Notre Dame for his final college season in 2023.
During his time at Wake Forest, Hartman set several Atlantic Coast Conference records, finishing his collegiate career with 134 touchdown passes. While playing for the Demon Deacons in 2022, according to the National Library of Medicine, medical professionals diagnosed him with Paget-Schroetter syndrome, a rare condition causing blood clots in a vein near the collarbone.
He returned to the field that same season and earned the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award, which honors the conference’s most courageous football player.
Following in the Footsteps of Past NFL Leads
The franchise frequently draws from professional football rosters when casting its leads. Jesse Palmer, who now hosts the program, served as the first professional athlete on the show during its fifth season while playing quarterback for the New York Giants.
Other former college and professional football players featured in the franchise include Matt James, Jordan Rodgers, Josh Murray, Dale Moss, and Clayton Echard. Unlike standard seasons that typically cast contestants from previous installments of “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette,” the network continues its occasional tradition of pulling talent directly from outside the franchise bubble.
| Player | Collegiate Career | Professional Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Hartman | Wake Forest / Notre Dame | Washington Commanders |
| Jesse Palmer | Florida Gators | New York Giants |
| Matt James | Wake Forest | None |
Looking Ahead to the March Premiere
“My whole family is in the medicine field,” Hartman said. “There’s a part of me that, seeing them do so much for other people, I think that’s a huge part.”
Season 30 of “The Bachelor” premieres Sunday, March 21, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
