Is It Really Goodbye for Jay Halstead? Jesse Lee Soffer Breaks Silence on His Shocking Chicago P.D. Exit

After over a decade of playing Detective Jay Halstead, Jesse Lee Soffer has finally opened up about his emotional exit from Chicago P.D.—and whether fans should hold onto hope for a return.

Soffer left the series in Season 10, shocking fans when Halstead was written out with little warning. His character took an off-screen assignment in Bolivia, leaving behind his wife Hailey Upton and longtime partner Hank Voight. The abrupt departure left fans with more questions than answers.

Now, Soffer is breaking his silence.

In a new interview, the actor shared that leaving was a personal decision. “I loved playing Halstead,” he said. “But I needed to step away and explore other opportunities—not just as an actor, but as a person.” He also acknowledged that the way his exit was handled on-screen left some fans unsatisfied, especially given Halstead's deep ties to the Intelligence Unit.

While he didn’t rule out a return entirely, Soffer made it clear that there are no current plans to reprise the role. “I never say never,” he teased. “But right now, it’s time for the team to evolve without Jay.”

Since his departure, Soffer has stayed close to the One Chicago family, even returning to direct an episode. His connection to the franchise remains strong—fueling ongoing fan theories that a Halstead comeback could still happen, especially if Chicago P.D. heads toward a milestone season or series finale.

For now, viewers are left holding onto hope and rewatching Halstead’s most iconic moments, unsure if they’ve truly said goodbye—or just “see you later.”