Peter Kraus Reveals Why He Didn't Want To Be 'The Bachelor' & It's Pretty Sad

When Arie Luyendyk Jr. was announced as the next Bachelor last week, it felt like all of Bachelor Nation let out a big old, "really?!" Even though producer Mike Fleiss previously teased that Peter Kraus wasn't going to be 2018's leading man, the #TeamPeter hopefuls still wanted real answers. Why didn't Peter want to be The Bachelor? The runner-up from Rachel Lindsay's Bachelorette season sat down with Entertainment Tonight to reveal his true feelings about the gig and fill the hungry hearts of fans everyone in on whether he would be open to the role in the future. He told Lauren Zima,

I needed more time for clarity. I'm the type of person who needs maybe too much time to process things when it comes to life and love... when I'm talking about my wife and my future, I want to take time to really think about it.

Peter also pointed to the fact that The Bachelorette experience was an "emotional rollercoaster" and that he needed time to figure out what was best for him at the moment. And he is not one for taking decisions lightly. "I'm going to weigh out everything in my life, and then make the best possible decision based on all the information. That's why I did it," he explained.

But the question on everyone's mind is, if not now, when? Would Peter consider coming back for The Bachelor after he takes some Peter time to deal with all those lingering Peter emotions? He told ET,

If the offer were to come up in the future, I could see myself doing it. It seems like an amazing opportunity. At this stage in my life, I'm single, I'm happy, business is good, family is good. I'm ready for the next step again, and if that's what route it took, I'd be OK with that.

Peter recently let out his vulnerable side on social media via Twitter and Instagram, posting a heartfelt thank you to ABC and a semi-explanation that revealed fear was the feeling holding him back.

So, what was he scared of? "I'm constantly reading how awful I am for even considering being the Bachelor, so I let fear kind of guide me. I was afraid of what people would say. I was afraid of what people would think, and I was afraid of not being able to live up to the amazing standards that are the lead of that position," he explained.

Don't let the haters and the trolls get you down, Peter! We wouldn't want them to stop you from your future TV endeavors.

In the meantime, Peter has been focusing on his business, Worth Personal Training, a job he seems incredibly passionate about it. Sign us up! I don't live in Wisconsin, but how about a Skype sesh, Pete? Looks like the super fit boy has got serious training skills.

Arie is going to be the next Bachelor, whether Bach Nation is into it or not. But keep in mind that Winter is coming. The Winter Games, to be exact. The juggernaut that is The Bachelor franchise is introducing yet another spinoff this February, that would pit former contestants against each other to compete in athletic challenges and fight for love in the process. BIP with sports? We would already set our DVR if we could. And who better to participate in a physical matchup than a personal trainer like Peter? Producer Mike Fleiss, always one to spark speculation, tweeted about "timing" and the Winter Games on Tuesday. Now you're getting our hopes up.

Whether we see Peter on our screens this February, in 2019, or never at all (tear), we hope he's doing what he needs to do for him. Take all the time you need. Well, not too much time, we hope...