Prior to the announcement about the gay storyline fans and critics alike pushed for a romantic pairing between Chad and Will due to the chemistry between the actors.[38] Errol Lewis of Soap Opera Network explained that the two would have great potential as a romantic pairing, due to their heritage alone; with Chad being a DiMera, and Will being a Brady, would solidify the pairing as "star crossed lovers" because of the long standing feud between their families being staple within the series for so long. Despite both characters being involved in romantic pairings with females at the time, the pairing had already established a large fan base.[38] The two however remain friends even when Will does turn out to be gay. The pairing is referred to by fans by their portmanteau "Chill."[39] Despite the joke between costars, fans immediately began pushing for the pairing. Deidrick said he would be open to the potential pairing if the writers were to go in that direction.[39] In June 2011, the duo ranked at #2 in the "Top Dream Couples" category on TV Guide Canada 's "Soapgeist".[60] Critics praised the writers for maintaining Chad and Will's friendship, and developing his friendship with Sonny despite both characters being gay.[41] However, fans also pushed for a Sonny/Chad pairing after Chad defends him to a gay bully in September 2011.[67] In response Smith jokingly shot down the idea and said that Chad is a little too tall for Sonny.[68] Greg Hernandez said it was Chad's friendship with Will and Sonny that endeared him to the character. Fans also spoke out when Chad's friendship with Will and Sonny started taking a back seat to other storylines.[25]
The onscreen pairing of Chad and Abigail became very popular among fans and garnered the squish name, "Chabby".[43] Jamey Giddens enjoyed Abigail and Chad's new dynamic displayed in their snooping around Cameron. Giddens said that while he wasn't a fan of their initial romance, "Abby and Chad’s scenes were fun, and made me wish I could see more