Who Is The Next ‘Bachelor’? Luke Pell, Chase McNary Frontrunners, But This Guy From ‘Bachelorette’ JoJo’s Season May Get Gig Instead

Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher is still several weeks away from handing out her final rose, but fans of the popular ABC reality show are already wondering which one of her guys will be picked to become the next Bachelor.

In recent seasons, the Bachelor was a third place contestant on the Bachelorette (Chris Soules, Ben Higgins), but that hasn’t always been the case. Juan Pablo Galavis was eliminated on Week 6 on Desiree’s season, and Ben Flajnik was the runner-up on Ashley Rosenbaum’s season.

Although ABC typically doesn’t announce the next Bachelor until the Bachelorette After the Final Rose special airs (or shortly thereafter), the identity of the man who is next in line to hand out roses usually leaks out online before Chris Harrison makes the official announcement.

So, which one of JoJo’s guys is most likely to become the Season 21 Bachelor? Here’s the latest scoop on who fans may see when the new season premieres in January 2017.

[Warning: Bachelorette Season 12 spoilers ahead]

Can’t stop dissecting this season’s trailer! #TheBachelorette https://t.co/WA7zLboSAx

— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) May 24, 2016

According to Reality Steve, Jordan Rodgers went on the show with every intention of becoming the next Bachelor but changed his mind when he found out that he could get more attention if he got engaged to JoJo.

“Jordan made it known to those close to him that his plan going into the season was to get as far as he can, then eliminate himself so he could be the Bachelor… He [then] realized how much better he’d look with JoJo as an engaged couple. Magazine covers, media appearances, a boost in social media…”

With Jordan out of the picture, there are two, possibly three, other guys who may be on ABC’s list for the possible 2017 Bachelor lead.

Spoilers point to JoJo Fletcher eliminating Luke Pell after his hometown date in Texas and Chase McNary leaves after a romp in the Fantasy Suite in Thailand, giving them both frontrunner status for the gig.

If host Chris Harrison has his way, he may favor Luke to become the lead. He recently told Yahoo! that Luke is one of his “favorite guys” on this season of the Bachelorette.

“He was a platoon leader in the Afghan war and he also has the ridiculous Hollywood leading man good looks. He is smart, kind, and charming. He is the whole package.”

Chase is also a real possibility — he’s easy on the eyes and doesn’t create any drama this season. Either way, Reality Steve states that fans can “pretty much count on” the next Bachelor being Luke or Chase. But what about Robby Hayes?

Robby, rumored to be this season’s runner-up, could become the lead instead of Luke or Chase. But the controversy over his recent breakup with a girl he dated for four years that will surface on his overnight date with Bachelorette JoJo may make him a lesser candidate, something Reality Steve agrees with.

“I think Robby’s ex stuff will be too much for him to overcome,” Steve states. “I don’t see him getting the lead. Especially since it becomes a storyline on the show.”

Chris Harrison won’t announce the name of the Season 21 Bachelor until at least August when the Bachelorette wraps up, but for now, it seems to be between Luke and Chase, two guys that Steve said he’s “heard good things about.”

Who would you like to see as the next Bachelor when the season premiere in January 2017?

While you wait to find out, watch the Bachelorette on Monday nights on ABC, with the exception of Episodes 3 and 4 that air back-to-back on June 6 and 7.

[Image via ABC Television Network]