Salem has been buzzing non-stop this week as a massive Days of Our Lives rumor takes over social media — is Greg Vaughan leaving the

show, and is Eric Brady being recast? Fans of the long-running NBC/Peacock soap opera are in shock after whispers of Vaughan’s possible

departure began circulating online. But now, Greg himself has finally broken his silence, setting the record straight — and what he said has everyone talking.

The Rumor That Shook Salem

The speculation started when fans noticed a few curious clues: Greg Vaughan (who has played Eric Brady on and off since 2012) had gone unusually quiet on social media, missing from behind-the-scenes cast photos and not featured in the recent Days promo.

It didn’t take long before soap insiders and fan blogs started to run wild with the story. The rumor? That Days of Our Lives was planning to recast Eric Brady — one of Salem’s most iconic and beloved characters — to “refresh” the storyline.

“Fans have seen a lot of Eric over the years,” one insider allegedly told a soap site. “The producers are considering a new direction — possibly even a younger actor to shake things up.”

That one line was enough to send the fandom into a frenzy. But then, everything changed when Greg Vaughan himself stepped in to clear the air.

Greg Vaughan Breaks His Silence

On Wednesday morning, Greg took to Instagram and posted a statement that stopped fans in their tracks. Standing in front of his trailer, smiling calmly, the actor addressed the situation head-on:

“I’ve seen the rumors, and I just want to say this — don’t believe everything you read. Eric Brady isn’t going anywhere, and neither am I.”

He added, “I love my Days family, and as long as they’ll have me, I’ll be here telling Eric’s story. There’s still a lot left to tell.”

The post quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes and supportive comments from fans who’ve followed his journey for over a decade.

A Legacy Role — and a Fan Favorite

For longtime Days of Our Lives viewers, Greg Vaughan’s portrayal of Eric Brady has been nothing short of iconic. Originally played by Jensen Ackles in the late 1990s, the role was recast in 2012 with Vaughan stepping in and instantly winning hearts with his grounded, soulful interpretation.

Eric’s storylines have ranged from heart-wrenching to heroic — from his turbulent romance with Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) to his complicated priesthood struggles, his moral dilemmas, and his constant battle between faith and desire.

When rumors suggested someone else might take over the role, fans were quick to voice their disapproval. One longtime viewer tweeted, “There is NO Eric Brady without Greg Vaughan. Period.” Another wrote, “He is Eric. No one else could play that man’s pain the way Greg does.”

What’s Really Going On Behind the Scenes?

So, if Vaughan isn’t leaving, what sparked the confusion in the first place? According to reliable Days production sources, the misunderstanding may have stemmed from temporary schedule adjustments during the show’s filming break earlier this year.

Vaughan had reportedly taken a few weeks off to spend time with family and work on an independent film project. Because Days tapes months in advance, his absence from recent episodes led some to assume he had departed the series permanently.

A source close to production confirmed, “Greg took some personal time, but he’s back filming now. There was never a plan to replace him. The character of Eric remains central to the show’s upcoming storylines.”

That clarification aligns with Greg’s recent post, where he teased that “big things” are coming for Eric in the months ahead.

What’s Next for Eric Brady?

Spoilers hint that Eric’s storyline is about to take another emotional turn. As viewers know, he’s been caught in the middle of the ongoing baby drama involving Sloan, Nicole, and EJ.

According to teasers, Eric will soon learn a shocking truth about Sloan’s manipulations — and when he does, his world could come crashing down.

“There’s a storm coming for Eric,” one insider teased. “He’s about to face one of the biggest betrayals of his life, and how he handles it will redefine who he is.”

Could this be a redemption arc — or the beginning of another tragic downfall? With Greg Vaughan still firmly in the role, fans can expect powerful performances ahead.

Fans React — and Celebrate

Following Greg’s announcement, Days of Our Lives fans flooded social media with messages of love and relief. The hashtag #NoRecastEric began trending within hours.

One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“Greg Vaughan IS Eric Brady. No one else can bring that quiet strength, that pain, that compassion. I’m so glad he’s staying!”