Clayton Echard Is The New Bachelor For Season 26

Published on December 1, 2021.

Clayton Echard is the new Bachelor!

While fans were disappointed to see Echard sent home last week on The Bachelor, they’ll be happy to know that this isn’t the last they’ll see him on the franchise. ABC announced that Echard will be the next Bachelor and his season will air in January.

Rumors swirlled for months that the former NFL player would be the next Bachelor, but it hadn’t been confirmed by ABC since he was still competing on Michelle’s season.

The reveal of Echard as the next Bachelor came during last night’s episode after Michelle went on her hometown dates. She went on dates with her final four men and then ultimately narrowed down the group to three.

Echard opened up during the first teasser for his season. “I’m just a Midwest guy from Missouri that just wants to find love,” Echard says. “And I believe more than anything that my future wife is here.”

Echard was definitely a fan favorite during Michelle’s season and the two bonded over Michelle’s passion for early education. “It really speaks to the type of person that you are,” he told Young in her season premiere. “Because they’re … teachers are some are some of the most passionate, caring, driven people that I’ve met, and made such a positive impact on my life.”

After being eliminated, Echard became emotional. “I just want to find love so badly and have a family. And start that chapter in my life,” he told the cameras. “I want it more than anything else. I’ll do whatever it takes to get that. Whatever it takes.”