On Nov. 13, ABC’s The Bachelor just announced their next lead, and it’s Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Hartman. Shortly after the announcement was made, fans took to social media to make their thoughts heard. And they’re here for it.
On Good Morning America (GMA), the 27-year-old Hartman made a live appearance where he announced and discussed his Bachelor debut. During the interview, Hartman admitted to initially being skeptical about appearing on the show, but after a phone call with host Jesse Palmer, he warmed up to the idea. “I know one thing: when people are saying, ‘I do,’ they don’t ask you where you met,” he said on GMA. “They just ask if you want to do it forever. I don’t see any problem with that.”
Still, Hartman told GMA he’s still a little nervous for the show, saying, “I have a tough time holding a conversation with one girl; 30 is gonna be pretty tough.”
When asked about the type of woman he’s looking for, Hartman shared that competitiveness is a trait that he values. So, it’s important to him that whoever he chooses is ambitious, telling GMA, “They have a drive for something that motivates me to wake up and chase them,” and that they have to “be ready to bring their competitive spirit.” Sound like you?
When it comes to football, Hartman has had quite the career. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hartman was team captain and a quarterback in high school. In college, Hartman played as a quarterback at Wake Forest University and Notre Dame University, where he set program records at both colleges. At Wake Forest, he set a conference record for 134 touchdown passes in the Atlantic Coast Conference ACC. He was also named ACC rookie of the year. After college, he signed with the Washington Commanders, where he has been playing since 2024 as a free agent and backup quarterback.
Hartman will be the lead of The Bachelor’s 30th season, which is expected to air on March 21, 2027, on ABC and Hulu. This is the first season of The Bachelor since March 2025, when the lead, Grant Ellis, proposed to Juliana Pasquarose. However, in June 2025, the couple broke up, with Ellis saying the split was “mutual.”
Football fans and Bachelor fans alike are getting excited for what this new season might bring. And I’m right there with ‘em.
Some people are even trying to figure out how they can apply so they can get a chance with the football star. And who can blame them?
It looks like the next season of The Bachelor is gearing up to be an exciting return!