ABC is going for the full touchdown with its latest "Bachelor."
NFL Quarterback Sam Hartmanwill be the star of the upcoming landmark 30th season of the reality dating franchise, the network announced Nov. 13.
"The 27-year-old pro athlete is ready to find his forever teammate," ABC's news release said. "With the same leadership and heart that won over fans on the field, Hartman will begin handing out roses as he searches for love."
Appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Nov. 13, Hartman was candid about his first thoughts when it came to the prospect of joining "Bachelor" nation. "Honestly, at first, I was like no way … the connotation of it, I was like, I don't know."
But a conversation with Season 5 Bachelor and the show's current host Jesse
Palmer made him change his tune. "He kind of gave me the insight," Hartman explained of Palmer, "what it is, what it's not."
"I’m excited but also very nervous," he added. "I have a tough time holding conversation with one girl. 30 is going to be pretty tough. My teammates were there giving me some advice on the plane ride back, so probably not gonna listen to anybody on that."
Who is Sam Hartman? Meet the Washington Commanders quarterback
Hartman began his professional career in 2024 after playing his final collegiate year at Notre Dame in 2023. He went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft but signed with the Washington Commanders as a free agent.
The 27-year-old has spent most of his career on the Commanders' practice squad, and he has yet to appear in a regular season game. In the 2026 season, Hartman is Washington's fourth-string quarterback behind starter Jayden Daniels, backup Marcus Mariota and rookie third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis.
Where has 'The Bachelor' been? Dating show returns after controversy, hiatus
It's been a long time since audiences have seen a new season of "Bachelor," which is one of the longest-running and most successful reality TV shows on American TV, but not without its fair share of controversies and ups and downs.
The last time the show was on air was in 2025, and star Grant Ellis left the season engaged, although his engagement to Juliana Pasquarosa ended less than three months after the finale aired.
Hartman's season will be the first entry in any series in the franchise since the summer 2025 season of "Bachelor in Paradise." The show's return comes after Taylor Frankie Paul's "Bachelorette" season was canceled just days before its March 2026 premiere due to allegations of domestic violence between the "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
"The Bachelor" Season 30 will premiere March 21, 2027, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Contributing: Jack McKessy, Amaris Encinas USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL quarterback Sam Hartman named as next 'Bachelor' for Season 30
