Not even Stranger Things' glory could compare to the thrills of the National Football League. Stranger Things is a massive global phenomenon and one of Netflix's biggest shows ever, breaking viewership records and generating billions in revenue. While blending 1980s nostalgia and science fiction, the show has also given birth to great talents such as Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard. Although one of these talents would rather dodge linebackers than dodge demogorgons.

Stranger Things fame may dazzle millions, but the Chicago Bears deliver a thrill that captivates one star completely.

Jake Connelly, the delightfully earnest Derek of Stranger Things, recently traded Hawkins for Soldier Field and proved that his passion is not limited to the Upside Down. The Chicago Bears X account featured the actor exuberantly attending the Bears' Wild Card Game, a display of fandom that bordered on contagious.

"It might even just top getting on Stranger Things," Jake Connelly confessed, eyes wide with unfiltered joy. The Arlington Heights-born actor revealed that nothing on set, neither awkward teen moments nor scripted monster chases, could match the thrill of witnessing a live Chicago Bears game.

This comes as no surprise, as Connelly’s love for the Bears has always been unmistakable. Whether sporting Bears cufflinks or Superdawg socks to the Season 5 Los Angeles premiere, he merges charm, and his fandom blends seamlessly with his on-screen persona. The star even revealed on Chicago TV station WGN that the franchise reciprocated with a thoughtful care package, further cementing his status as a fan who is as dedicated off-screen as on-screen.

Duffer Brothers Reveals How Jake Connelly’s Charm Changed His ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Role Entirely

For a star now treated even more favorably than Ethan Hawke at thirteen, Jake Connelly has everyone curious about what project he will tackle next.

After dazzling audiences as Derek Turnbow in Stranger Things’ final season, Jake Connelly has one confirmed venture for 2026: the documentary One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5. Slated for a release on January 12, the film will give fans a sneak peek into his first major television debut. Beyond that, Jake Connelly seems more interested in enjoying his teenage years, a lesson well learned from the Hawkins kids, than racing after fame.

No one could make audiences apologize for speculating as instantly as Connelly. With a cute charm that no one is immune to, great passion for acting, and talented co-stars, Connelly could adopt more aliases other than Delightful Derek if he wishes to. With Hawkins in the rearview, the actor’s career shows every sign of glowing momentum.

“Real Explosives, People Getting Set on Fire”- Jake Connelly Shares What 'Stranger Things’ 5 Set Looked Like

Would you also put a Chicago Bears game above Stranger Things? Let us know in the comments!