Brace Yourself: A Jaw‑Dropping Exit Sends Chicago Fire Season 13 Finale into Chaos

A third Chicago Fire cast member is on their way out the door, and their exit just reinforces the disappointment felt by the season 13 finale.

 The NBC procedural drama TV series is no stranger to cast departures over the course of its 14-season run. However, when three actors leave back-to-back-to-back, it's difficult not to feel slighted by Chicago Fire.

A month before the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, reports disclosed that Jake Lockett (who played Sam Carver) and Daniel Kyri (who played Darren Ritter) would leave the show. Their exits were a result of budget cuts, and many assumed they would have to bid adieu to more characters in the One Chicago universe. The latest exit came about unexpectedly, though.

Michael Bradway Is Leaving Chicago Fire Ahead Of Season 14

Jack Damon Won't Return

According to Soaps.com, Michael Bradway will no longer be a part of the Chicago Fire cast. The actor, who played Jack Damon (Kelly Severide's half-brother), plans to leave the series ahead of the upcoming season 14 premiere. However, it doesn't appear that Bradway's departure can be attributed to budget cuts from NBC — he has a scheduling conflict.

Bradway was cast to play Charlie Florek in Prime Video's TV series adaptation of Carley Fortune's popular romance book Every Summer After — Every Year After. As such, Chicago Fire is losing another important member of Firehouse 51 ahead of season 14. Production of Every Year After has already begun, meaning Bradway won't be available to film the upcoming Chicago Fire episodes.

Damon Didn't Have A Big Role In The Chicago Fire Season 13 Finale

The Last Episode Didn't Focus On Severide's Half-Brother

Bradway's exit in and of itself is disappointing. But the fact that it comes after an underwhelming episode for his Chicago Fire character makes it all the more frustrating. Nothing remarkable happened to Damon in the NBC procedural drama's season 13 finale, failing to set up his goodbye to Firehouse 51. Consequently, Damon's fate in season 14 is unclear.

The writers might not have known that Bradway was leaving the One Chicago show at that point, but the lack of closure is aggravating nonetheless. Bradway won't return to see Damon off. Therefore, Chicago Fire season 14 will have to write the firefighter out of the series with him offscreen. The same goes for Carver and Ritter, given the events of the season 13 finale.

Like Damon, Ritter was hardly in the Chicago Fire season 13 finale. The episode never indicated that Ritter was leaving, and if someone didn't hear about Kyri's exit, they would believe that his character was returning for season 14. Meanwhile, Carver planned to move to Denver, but he declared his love for Violet Mikami and kissed her during the finale's closing moments.

All in all, the Chicago Fire season 13 finale did very little to prepare the audience for Carver, Ritter, and Damon's exits. Given that they likely won't return (except for Carver, who some speculate will have a recurring role in season 14), their departures must be explained in one-off comments. Carver, Ritter, and Damon are important characters, though, who deserve better.

How Chicago Fire Can Give Damon Closure Without Bradway

The Actor Won't Be Available To Film Damon's Goodbye

The Chicago Fire writers must make do with what they have and figure out a way to write Damon out of the show without Bradway. Perhaps the worst thing they could do is kill Damon off. Severide doesn't need that kind of heartbreak, especially with a kid on the way. It also doesn't make sense to fire Damon from Firehouse 51 for a second time.

Unfortunately, the one explanation that makes the most sense (but doesn't really at all) is for Damon to transfer to another fire station ahead of Chicago Fire season 14. Perhaps his will-they/won't-they romance with Lizzie Novak ended poorly, causing Damon to want a change of scenery. Or he could just get a good job opportunity somewhere else.

Whatever the case, it seems like the NBC procedural drama plans on leaving the door open for Damon's potential return. So, fans shouldn't expect him to die. Instead, Damon will leave Firehouse 51 for one reason or another. However, Chicago Fire season 14 should make it possible for him to come back, meaning closure isn't a guarantee.

Bradway reprising his role as Damon in upcoming episodes of Chicago Fire isn't a guarantee, either. Yes, he could return. But Bradway might be busy if Prime Video adapts One Golden Summer (Carley Fortune's sequel to Every Summer After that focuses on Charlie, Bradway's character) after Every Year After concludes. Only time will tell what happens to Damon in Chicago Fire, though.