Which NFL players, coaches and executives could star in 'Stranger Things'? | Opinion
With big hits and major plays, the NFL can feel like watching a thriller. And binge watching the popular Netflix series "Stranger Things" — where the featured characters battle monsters from the upside-down — is starting to feel like a sport.
The premiere of the fourth season of "Stranger Things" on May 27th has us thinking about which NFL players could be cast as characters from the hit Netflix series.
Who best resembles Jim Hopper, the hero police chief who seemingly perished at the end of last season? Which characters best fit the members of the iconic gang that's saved the world multiple times over?
Let's get into it.
Spoiler alert: This story contains details from previous seasons of "Stranger Things".
Jim Hopper — Tom Brady: We all thought Hopper was gone after "Stranger Things 3", just like we thought Brady retired after last season. Both are primed for triumphant returns and will undoubtedly continue their respective legendary triumphs. Nobody pulls through in clutch moments better than these two.
Eleven — Derrick Henry: Like Eleven, Henry is a force of nature who possesses abilities that dwarf his peers. And just as Eleven lost her powers, Henry's foot injury last season took him out of the game. But both are primed to come back better than ever.
Will Byers — Antonio Brown: Byers and AB consistently seem to find themselves in trouble and in need of help.
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Mind Flayer — Bill Belichick: An omnipotent and omniscient architect orchestrating multiple threats to reign supreme over everything in sight. Creating armies under a hive mind to do their bidding. Are we talking about Belichick of the Mind Flayer?
Lord Vecna — Lamar Jackson: There's nobody harder to game-plan for than Jackson, which mirrors Vecna's ability to get inside the heads of his victims before striking. Left unchecked, both have lethal abilities.
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Joyce Byers — Brian Gutekunst: These are two individuals who have to make tough decisions and live with the consequence. The grace Joyce has shown in tense situations — especially at the end of Stranger Things 3 — is reminiscent of Gutekunst's impressive navigation of the Aaron Rodgers situation.
Steve Harrington — Ezekiel Elliott: Both guys are the essence of cool. And not only that, but they just might save the day if you let them.
Nancy Wheeler — Russell Wilson: Just as Nancy's steadfast determination guides her, those same qualities make her an adept leader ring true for Wilson.
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Max Mayfield — Darren Waller: Although Max is a character that dealt with severe trauma in Stranger Things 3, the adversity Waller went through was very real. It was rewarding to see Max's perseverance this season, but it's even more rewarding to see all Waller has accomplished during his journey through substance abuse rehabilitation.
Dr. Sam Owens — Josh McDaniels: Yeah, we thought they were bad guys for a while, but they've each branched off from their respective evil empires to forge their own paths.
Dustin Henderson — Josh Allen: Both are resourceful, good communicators and unofficial MVPs. Their respective teams don't realize how valuable they truly are to their success.
Mike Wheeler — Joe Burrow: These guys try pretty hard to look cool, but both possess solid leadership qualities that leave us wanting more.
Lucas Sinclair — Odell Beckham Jr.: Both did their best to fit in with the cool crowd — Lucas initially siding with the basketball team and Beckham joining the glitzy, Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams.
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Jonathan Byers — Austin Ekeler: You don't think about these guys too often, but if there's a job to get done they'll do it.
Argyle — Rob Gronkowski: Their hijinks and crazy one-liners keep us consistently entertained, providing a much-needed laugh track to our lives.
Robin Buckley — Jaylen Waddle: Yes, they're still relatively new to the party, but they have left impressions on us thanks to their infectious personalities.
Paste BN Sports+ Victoria Hernandez contributed to this story.