After the fun-filled one-on-one, Bachelor Nation was left disappointed when Missouri native Clayton Echard was sent home. After abruptly leaving The Bachelorette, the heartthrob was selected to be the lead face of Season 26.

On January 3, 2022, the ex-NFL player will embark on his journey of love. Enchard was pictured surrounded by puppies and rose petals when “The Bachelor” tweeted the news. 

The trailer accompanied the big announcement and features the women going after Echard’s heart as well as the emotional roller coaster ride he goes through during the season.  

On January 3, the down-to-earth lead will meet 33 potential suitors at 8 pm ET on ABC.

As the new host of season 26, the former Bachelor and NFL player Jesse Palmer will take the place of Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe. 

Nevertheless, Echard confessed he began the journey with a checklist before shooting the season. “I was looking for somebody that was funny, intelligent, driven, put forth effort, and so I figured, ‘Okay, that’s a good list and hopefully I’ll find that,’” he shared in an interview with GMA on Monday, Dec. 1. “Well, what I found was very quickly the women blew my expectations out of the water.”

Clayton was first introduced as one of Michelle Young‘s lucky men on the current season of The Bachelorette. Michelle sends Clayton home, resulting in one of the most emotional and heartbreaking moments in history.

Clayton’s journey as The Bachelor premieres on Monday, January 3rd at 8pm EST on ABC. Watch episodes on demand and on Hulu the day following their premieres.