Chicago Fire season 14 premieres in the fall of 2025, airing new episodes on Wednesdays at 9 pm ET (preceded by Chicago Med season 11 at 8 pm ET and followed by Chicago PD season 13 at 10 pm ET) on NBC.
Casey and Brett got married in Chicago Fire season 12 and drove off into the sunset (aka Oregon) together. Consequently, the show needed to find a replacement couple. Chicago Fire has seemingly always had a slow-burn will-they/won't-they dynamic. So, it needed to produce one quickly. The series has explored a couple of options, but they'll both be gone by season 14.
Chicago Fire Is Losing 2 New Couples In Season 14
Jake Lockett & Michael Bradway Are Leaving Chicago Fire
Jake Lockett (who plays Sam Carver) and Michael Bradway (Jack Damon) are set to exit Chicago Fire ahead of season 14. Lockett's, along with Daniel Kyri's (Darren Ritter), departure was announced before the season 13 finale. NBC reportedly needed to make some budget cuts, and Lockett and Kyri were the ones who paid the price.
Bradway's exit from Chicago Fire wasn't announced until July 2025, when he was cast to play Charlie Florek in Every Year After — Prime Video's TV adaptation of Carley Fortune's book Every Summer After. Production began right away, meaning Bradway was unavailable to film Chicago Fire. As such, NBC's show is down two possible/new couples — Carver and Violet, and Damon and Novak.
Chicago Fire season 13 ended with Carver and Violet kissing and confessing their love, but Lockett's exit seemingly negates the possibility of a future for them.
Carver and Violet's relationship started as a friends-with-benefits situation until he decided he wanted more. Violet wasn't ready, though, leading to their breakup. Then, Carver and Violet spent all of season 13 pining for one another. Chicago Fire season 13 ended with Carver and Violet kissing and confessing their love, but Lockett's exit seemingly negates the possibility of a future for them.
Meanwhile, Damon and Novak's relationship was also casual at first. And, unfortunately, it will likely always stay that way due to Bradway's departure. The Chicago Fire season 13 finale didn't touch upon their romance, meaning the series will never get to thoroughly explore what Damon and Novak's story could be (unless Bradway returns).
Why Firehouse 51 Needs A Slow-Burn Relationship
Fans Need A Couple To Root For
Even though romance isn't the main focus of Chicago Fire, it's still pretty important within the One Chicago universe. In fact, it plays a significant role in most TV shows in general. People love having a couple to root for (or against), and by having one, two, or a few, it's easier to draw them in to watch said TV series.
A departing Chicago Fire star shares their emotional goodbye to the show and the cast, reflecting on their journey throughout the series.
In the earlier seasons of Chicago Fire, it was all about Casey and Gabby Dawson. She was in love with him while he was engaged. Their story was intriguing from the start, and although their relationship ended in heartbreak in Chicago Fire, Casey and Dawson set the standard for all the couples who followed them.
Without Casey and Brett, who were Firehouse 51's hit romance for many seasons, Chicago Fire feels stale. It needs a new will-they/won't-they duo to freshen up the show. Chicago Fire was evidently setting up Carver and Violet and/or Damon and Novak to be Casey and Brett's replacements, but that dream will be all but lost when season 14 premieres.
Chicago Fire Season 14's New Cast Member Could Solve The Show's Romance Dilemma
Brandon Larracuente Is Joining The Cast
But if Larracuente is coming to serve as one-half of Chicago Fire's next epic romance, one has to wonder why the series is letting go of Lockett.
Larracuente is likely portraying a firefighter who Firehouse 51 brings in to replace Carver, Ritter, or Damon. They will be down three men, so they'll need all the help they can get. However, when Larracuente's Chicago Fire season 14 character arrives, perhaps he'll hit it off with somebody at the fire station (probably Violet or Novak, since they're the only single ones).
But if Larracuente is coming to serve as one-half of Chicago Fire's next epic romance, one has to wonder why the series is letting go of Lockett. Bradway's departure is understandable, given his scheduling conflicts. However, Violet and Carver's story in Chicago Fire was intriguing and only getting started. They could have easily been the next Casey and Brett.
Whatever the case, season 14 needs a new romance fast. It also has to feel right, though, and appeal to the audience. Maybe Larracuente's character can bring exactly what the show needs, but only time will tell what Chicago Fire has in store in the love department for season 14.
