Jesse Lee Soffer returns to Chicago PD as a director but admits that he also almost had a cameo in the episode. After playing Jay Halstead for eight years, Soffer exited Chicago PD early on in season 10. His character's fate is still in limbo, but he was able to reunite with his former co-workers, this time, as he helmed the outing.

Speaking with Deadline in light of his Chicago PD stint as the director in the episode "Deadlocked," Soffer reveals that he actually contemplated doing a brief cameo since he was already on the set. However, it wouldn't be as Jay Halstead but, instead, simply a background extra. Read his full quote below:

“There are a couple of screens where I thought about doing that. Like, what if I just walked through the background with my back to the camera? Would someone know it was me? There are a couple of scenes where I’m literally right around the corner from where they’re filming, watching on the monitors. So, I am sort of there.”

Related: New Chicago PD Details Hint At Jay Halstead's Death

Will Soffer's Halstead Still Return In Chicago PD?

Blended image of Upton looking behind her and Halstead looking forward in Chicago PD.

The way Soffer was written out of the show remains a controversial topic since Halstead is seemingly ghosting Hailey Upton in Chicago PD, which is totally uncharacteristic of him. In any case, the fact that One Chicago has left his fate up in the air, alongside his great relationship with his former co-workers, is a good indication that he could make another appearance.

The chances of Halstead returning don't mean that it will happen anytime soon or will yield a happy ending for him and Upton. Tracy Spiridakos has previously teased the end of the couple's marriage; between that and Halstead/Soffer's status, it would be very tricky to properly rekindle their romance in Chicago PD. If anything, Halstead coming back to Chicago could finalize their split.

It doesn't seem like Chicago PD is in any rush to tackle Upton and Halstead's situation. However, they need to decide what will happen to them. That's the only way they can further develop Upton's arc without being bogged down by her broken marriage.

Source: Deadline