Washington Commanders waive quarterback Sam Hartman

Sam Hartman faced an uphill battle to make the Washington Commanders 53-man roster after going undrafted out of Notre Dame in April. Now, the decision has been made by the franchise.

On Tuesday, the Commanders waived the former Fighting Irish and Wake Forest star quarterback. While it was noted he’ll likely return to Washington’s practice squad if he clears waivers, it’s still a disappointing revelation for Hartman, who was determined to make the team’s roster.

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“The #Commanders are waiving former Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman, per source,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. “He’ll likely return on the practice squad if he clears.“

Hartman flashed at times, but he sustained a shoulder injury ahead of Washington’s second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 17. That put a damper on his chances to make the active roster, and now he’ll be relegated to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

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At least if the NFL doesn’t work out for Hartman, he has an interesting backup plan. Earlier this summer, the UFL Champion Birmingham Stallions selected the former Notre Dame quarterback in the 2024 college draft.

While Hartman ended up signing a contract with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft, he was still eligible to have his UFL rights picked up. Now that the former Fighting Irish star didn’t land a job on the Commanders’ 53-man roster, he could play in the spring for Birmingham, if the practice squad doesn’t sign him.

As it stands, UFL contracts allow players to sign deals with an “NFL out,” which lets them play in the big leagues during the season. The team that drafts a player holds their exclusive rights until the player reports to the team or the team gives up that player’s rights.

Moreover, the Stallions had the last pick of the round in the 10-round draft and selected Hartman with their ninth choice. Birmingham, coached by Skip Holtz, went 8-2 during the regular season on their way to the league title.

The team was quarterbacked by former FIU standout Alex McGough who joined the Packers after the season.

Who knows what the future holds for Sam Hartman, but his football journey has been a wild one thus far, and it could continue taking a myriad of twists and turns if the past is an indicator for the former college star.