Luke Pell Rumored Next ‘Bachelor,’ But Is Nick Viall Being Considered For The Gig Again?

JoJo Fletcher’s season of the Bachelorette wraps up in two weeks and that means fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out who will become the next Bachelor. The guy who hands out roses is rumored to be one of the most popular guys on JoJo’s season — Luke Pell — but he may have some competition for the gig.

Now that Nick Viall is returning to TV to find love for the third time on the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise, there are rumors that he may be making a play to be the 21st guy to hand out roses as the Bachelor 2017.

[Warning: Spoilers for The Bachelorette Season 12 and Bachelor in Paradise Season 3 ahead]

Last week, the show’s creator, Mike Fleiss, tweeted that they were “very close to choosing the next Bachelor,” but he didn’t drop any hints as to who the leading man will be.

Although there have been rumors that he was considering Chad Johnson for the gig, Fleiss cleared things up by tweeting that he wants to see Chad have his own show, not become the 2017 Bachelor.

Wasn't saying Chad should be our next Bachelor… Was thinking he might need a new show of his own! #ChadtotheBone

— Mike Fleiss (@fleissmeister) July 5, 2016

Most fans would agree that Chad would not be a suitable candidate to become the next Bachelor, but many viewers do think one of JoJo’s frontrunners, Luke Pell, would be a perfect fit for the role.

Luke is the guy from every Nicholas Sparks movie—he was born to be #TheBachelor if JoJo doesn’t choose him #TheBachelorette @fleissmeister

— Reality Rose (@RealityRose_) July 12, 2016

Spoilers point to Luke leaving the Bachelorette after his hometown date with JoJo — that puts him in the perfect spot to snag the Bachelor gig.

But then there’s Nick Viall, who will appear on Bachelor in Paradise 3 in August. Immediately after he joined the cast, rumors started flying that the runner-up from Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season could be under consideration to become the Season 21 Bachelor if he didn’t find love in Paradise.

And, of course, he didn’t make a love connection, making him a viable option to become ABC’s next Bachelor.

(BIP SPOILER): Nick Viall on a date with Leah Block. They're turning the town into a phony festival for the date. pic.twitter.com/JQGH75M3NJ

— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) June 10, 2016

Last September, Nick told WetPaint that his appearance on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of the Bachelorette was his last with the franchise. He also stated that he wouldn’t go on Bachelor in Paradise because he is “too much of a fan to ever be on it.”

Although Nick swore off doing another Bachelor-related show, he’s back in the limelight once again after filming Bachelor in Paradise Season 3.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BH-JQ_nBDAP/?taken-by=efergie13&hl=en

According to Reality Steve, Nick makes it to the season finale of Bachelor in Paradise with Jen Saviano (Ben’s season) but is not one of the three couples who got engaged on the show.

“Nick and Jen break up. Their breakup I’m hearing was amicable… [they knew] each other for about 10 days [and] live on opposite coasts (Nick in LA, Jen in FL), you can see why a decision was made to break up.”

So far, there is no solid information that points to Nick becoming the next Bachelor — only rumors. Reality Steve states that “he’s heard” that Luke Pell is still a top contender for ABC’s next leading man, but fans won’t find out for sure for several weeks.

Chris Harrison is expected to introduce the next Bachelor during one of the After Paradise live shows that will air on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET during the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise.

Would you like to see Nick Viall return to TV for a fourth time to become the next Bachelor or are you a fan of Luke Pell getting the gig?

[Image via ABC Television Network]