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Meet the new ‘Bachelor,’ a quarterback for the Washington Commanders
ABC has named Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Hartman as the lead for the 30th season of “The Bachelor”, returning the franchise to a familiar source of contestants after a difficult period. The choice is notable because Hartman has no regular-season NFL appearances, while the dating shows have not aired since “Bachelor in Paradise” in summer 2025.
The 27-year-old is on the Commanders’ practice squad and previously played college football at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. The new season is due to premiere on 21 March; Hartman said he was initially reluctant, but changed his mind after speaking with host Jesse Palmer, a former Bachelor lead and NFL quarterback. ABC’s previous attempt to cast a star from another reality series as lead ended with “The Bachelorette” season being cancelled amid domestic abuse allegations.
In short
- Sam Hartman will lead “The Bachelor” season 30.
- The season is set to premiere on 21 March.
- The franchise is returning after a long hiatus.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Choosing Sam Hartman could give the franchise a fresh lead with a recognisable sporting background and reconnect it with the football audience that has supplied contestants before. His initial reluctance and consultation with former lead Jesse Palmer may also help him approach the role thoughtfully, while a return after a long gap could renew interest in the series.
The case against
The choice may look like casting around a sports profile rather than Hartman’s established public or professional record: he is on a practice squad and has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game. After a previous crossover casting ended in a cancelled season amid serious allegations, viewers may reasonably question whether another celebrity-style experiment is the right way to revive the franchise.