The Bachelor: Why Ben Higgins doesn’t want the job in 2018

Let’s start off this article all about The Bachelor by making one thing very clear once more: We still think that ABC may have a smokescreen out there. Peter Kraus supposedly doesn’t want the role, and ABC supposedly is worried about him being a lead that they couldn’t control enough to get a proposal. The key word in all of this is “supposedly.” We think it’s perfectly possible that the network is drumming up controversy to make things exciting in the midst of what was previously a pretty clear-cut decision.

Nonetheless, there are clearly some interesting discussions to be had about some of the other people who are out there in the race. Take, for example, Wells Adams. Yesterday, we reported that Wells isn’t exactly pushing himself out of consideration. He would consider the opportunity if it was presented to him, but there clearly isn’t anything set in stone there.

Today, we’ve got some more news about another person whose name has been thrown around in Ben Higgins — even though he’s said in the past that he’s not interested in doing it this year. He did explain that decision further in a new post on The Mahogany Workplace:

“To be honest, I do not feel like being the Bachelor would be a wise choice for me right now … I am not ready for another relationship to take place in the public eye. I am not able to be the man I would want to be for the women participating in the experience. I sense that I couldn’t prepare my heart to get engaged six months after my previous engagement ended.”

Ben and Lauren Bushnell, who he picked at the end of his past season on The Bachelor, split earlier this year. If Ben was to take on the role again, it would be the fourth time that he would have appeared on a show connected to this franchise. Remember that he and Lauren had a show on Freeform that lasted for a season in addition to him being a contestant on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season on The Bachelorette.

For the record, Ben didn’t rule out doing the show down the road.

Who are the other candidates?

This is where things get super-tricky for ABC, given that Wells may be one of the only notable choices who is interested in the gig if Peter doesn’t want it while also being relevant. Remember that Dean Unglert already said that he’s not ready, and it’s too early to know if any guy from Bachelor in Paradise is going to stand out in the way that Nick Viall did this past season. Maybe you can look at someone like Luke Pell from last season of The Bachelorette, but there was obviously a reason that ABC passed over him last year and we’re not sure that anything has changed. The same goes for Chase McNary, and we’re not even sure if these guys are single.

Who do you think will be The Bachelor in the end?

Sound off in the comments! Remember that the official announcement is probably coming your way either later this month or early September. (Photo: ABC.)