Nick Gehlfuss says goodbye to Jesse Lee Soffer in emotional video

Goodbyes are tough. Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) leaving Chicago PD was especially tough, when you consider all of the connections he has to other characters in the One Chicago universe. Not just his wife, Upton (Tracy Spiridakos), but his brother Will (Nick Gehlfuss).

While we knew about Soffer’s departure for weeks, seeing it actually play out was emotionally taxing. Based on the messages that One Chicago cast members have been posting, fans aren’t the only ones who feel this way.

Gehlfuss decided to record a brief video message on the set of Chicago Med, and it was released shortly after Soffer’s final PD episode aired.

Did Jesse Lee Soffer leave Chicago PD?

The actor addresses Soffer directly, and recalls how nervous he was when he first joined the One Chicago universe. He mentions how Soffer took him under his wing and helped ease his transition, and how this initial connection blossomed into a real-world friendship. The two men are very close in real life, and hang out outside of their Med and PD gigs, respectively.

Gehlfuss really hits fans in the feels when he admits that he’s “really going to miss” Soffer and the sibling dynamic they developed over the last eight years. Thankfully, he pivots to a joke, declaring that Soffer will never be as good of a golfer as he is.

Gehlfuss wasn’t alone in spreading the Soffer love. Brian Luce, a longtime producer on Chicago PD, shared a photo of him and Soffer on Instagram with the caption “I love you brother…” These come in addition to the numerous posts and messages that have been shared by PD cast members like Jason Beghe and Marina Squerciati, as well as Fire‘s Kara Killmer.

It’s a regular old love fest for the actor, and we hope that he will eventually return to the Windy City to make a cameo!

For the latest Chicago PD season 9 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago PD category at One Chicago Center.