close
close
Former Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman makes his NFL preseason debut with the Commanders

Former Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman makes his NFL preseason debut with the Commanders

Former Notre Dame and Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman made his professional debut on Saturday, seeing action in his first NFL preseason game.

Hartman’s Washington Commanders were in New York (New Jersey, technically) to face the Jets on Saturday while the undrafted rookie played most of the second half for Washington.

Hartman completed 8 of 13 passing attempts for 83 yards, good for an average of 6.4 yards per attempt. He also added a 17-yard run on third-and-nine that extended a Washington drive that ended in a go-ahead touchdown.

That drive ended up being the end of the game for Hartman, as he was removed from the game with a shoulder injury.

Jeff Driskel replaced him on the final two possessions. Driskel currently holds the position of Washington’s backup quarterback, a job Hartman is trying to land.

Washington looked totally disorganized on those final two possessions, as it played without the quarterback who is more accustomed to playing with most of that personnel. Washington ended up falling to the Jets, 20-17.

The NFL posted every Sam Hartman pass and run attempt from Saturday on its YouTube channel, but due to copyright issues we can’t post the video here.

There’s a mix of things in it that Notre Dame fans probably won’t be surprised to hear.

Hartman had a couple of good throws, a few misses, one of which he was lucky not to have been intercepted.

Hartman didn’t play poorly by any means, but if he’s going to be one of Washington’s three quarterbacks this season, he’ll probably need to show more than he did on Saturday.

Social media reacts to Sam Hartman’s NFL preseason debut

Former Notre Dame offensive lineman and current sports media personality Mike Golic, Jr. reacted to Hartman’s debut. I don’t know what time Hartman made his 17-yard run, but I’d venture to guess that’s when Golic sent out this tweet.

I guess not many backup quarterbacks could go to an opposing city to play a few days and leave the practice field with opposing fans looking for selfies. Even with his looks, I’m guessing there would also be a lot fewer of those photos if he had only played college ball at Wake Forest.

—Enjoy free coverage of the Irish from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI—

Five thoughts on Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard ahead of the 2024 season

Notre Dame football team signs local two-sport athlete Saturday: What it means for Fighting Irish

Why Notre Dame football will be more dynamic in 2024

Pro Football Focus gives big love to Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison