The Washington Commanders are bringing quarterback Sam Hartman back to their practice squad, according to Tom Pelissero. This move comes just days after the team had waived him earlier in the week. At 24, Hartman’s journey from collegiate success to the NFL has been notable, and his return to Washington’s practice squad provides him another chance to work his way up.
Hartman had an impressive college career, starting at Wake Forest before transferring to Notre Dame. During his tenure at Wake Forest, he established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC. He was named Second-team All-ACC in 2021 and Third-team All-ACC in 2022. Additionally, he won the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award in 2022, a testament to his grit and determination on and off the field.
In his college career, Hartman started 57 of the 60 games he played, amassing a record of 34-20. Over those games, he completed 1,135 of 1,898 pass attempts, amounting to a 59.8% completion rate. He also threw for 15,656 yards with 134 touchdowns and 49 interceptions, demonstrating both his productivity and his challenges in terms of ball security. In addition to his passing abilities, Hartman showed his mobility by rushing for 979 yards on 462 carries, along with 20 rushing touchdowns.
Despite his achievements in college, Hartman went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft but was signed by the Commanders as a free agent. His brief stint with the team this season saw him waived, but Washington’s decision to bring him back onto the practice squad indicates that they still see potential in him, especially for developmental purposes.
The Commanders’ practice squad now includes a variety of other young talents, including running backs Kazmeir Allen and Chris Rodriguez Jr., wide receivers Mitchell Tinsley and Brycen Tremayne, and more. The re-signing of Hartman provides the team with additional depth and a potential future option at quarterback, should they need to dip into their reserves.
For Hartman, returning to the practice squad represents another opportunity to learn, grow, and refine his skills in hopes of earning a spot on the active roster in the future. His college career showed his capability, and now it’s a matter of continuing to develop in the NFL as he takes this next step with Washington.
