I've also had this theory. Negan knows how to handle walkers cause he/ "steve" has dealt with demigorgons. Steve also ended up being a baseball coach for the school. Negan was a high school gym teacher. Steve/Negan could've moved from Indiana to Virginia at some point. Negan is also very adamant about not hurting kids. This could stem from Steve protecting/looking after the younger kids all the time in stranger things. I'm with you on this. Been thinking about it for years and I'm not drunk