Joe Burrow: The Top Pick for “The Bachelor”
Jesse Palmer recently shared that he would choose NFL star Joe Burrow as his ideal contestant for “The Bachelor.” “He’s smooth and a bit mysterious, I think,” Palmer remarked to The Post ahead of the season 10 premiere of “Bachelor in Paradise.”
Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, signed a significant five-year, $275 million deal in 2023, making him a standout player in the league – and, perhaps, a financially savvy choice for ABC.
Palmer added, “He can afford it. I mean, we could utilize his plane and car. I believe he might have even just picked up a Batmobile.” However, the former Giants quarterback feels that Burrow, who is rumored to be dating Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Olivia Ponton, would likely pass on a role in a reality dating show.
“I doubt he would actually do it, but hey, it’s fun to think about,” Palmer said.
Palmer, who first starred in “The Bachelor” as a professional athlete, became the franchise host in 2021. He also works as a college football analyst for ESPN and mentioned that he occasionally gets recognized by both NFL fans and “Bachelor” enthusiasts.
“It’s usually a mix—guys and ladies who are into both football and ‘Bachelor’ stuff. Sometimes, I hear from couples who enjoy both,” he said.
This season, he will be featured in “Bachelor in Paradise,” which merges contestants from “The Bachelor” series in a beach setting, partly reflecting on his own past in sports.
Palmer expressed that living in a constant state of motion can, somehow, relieve stress. “It’s fascinating. When you’re always on the go, it sort of calms you down,” he mentioned.
The show has also introduced participants from “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette,” marking the summer’s first spinoff that focuses on seniors.
Palmer noted, “I was advocating for this kind of thing from the start. I thought it would really enhance the show.” He pointed out that the older contestants tend to bring a different vibe than their younger counterparts.
“They seem more emotionally intelligent and stable. They know who they are and don’t get caught up in the drama,” he observed.
In contrast, he feels the younger participants consistently stir up more conflict.
The former athlete, who enjoys classical Russian literature, reflected on how he tries to navigate these tensions in his own life. “I’ve been diving into Dostoevsky, specifically ‘The Brothers Karamazov.’ It’s quite the intense read. Not sure if it’s ideal for ‘Paradise,’ but once you open that book, it’s like can of worms!”
