CBS Finally Explains Why Tracker Dropped Bobby & Velma – And The Reason Actually Makes Sense

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Tracker season 3, episode 7, “Eat the Rich.”Tracker season 3, episode 7 effectively explains why the show no longer needs Bobby and Velma as part of Colter Shaw’s team. As TV’s most-watched show, the CBS procedural was among the most exciting returns during the 2025-2026 network programming schedule. As it has impressively been able to keep the top spot in terms of non-sporting shows on broadcast, it’s easy to ignore how much Tracker has changed since it made its big splash on CBS back in early 2024.

Opening with a two-episode special, Tracker season 3 used that opportunity to bring back Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw, after he failed to return for a second time in season 2. Because of the major reveal about Ashton Shaw’s death, not to mention the case of the week, the expanded premiere flew by pretty quickly. Still, CBS was able to establish early on that both Velma and Bobby had departed the team.

Tracker Season 3, Episode 7 Highlights How Obsolete Velma’s Job Has Become

Admittedly, this was expected, as Abby McEnany and Eric Graise’s exits were announced ahead of Tracker season 3’s debut. The procedural didn’t have the time to dwell on the losses, although it did offer an explanation of where they went. Apparently, Bobby accepted a lucrative new job at a startup, while Velma left to join Teddi, who left the show after its freshman year. It’s great that Tracker took the time to immediately address their absence, but the explanation for their abrupt exits felt very shallow.

Fast-forward to Tracker season 3, episode 7, however, and it becomes clear why the show no longer needs both Velma and Bobby. In “Eat the Rich,” Colter accidentally stumbles into a new case, as opposed to him getting them from his old handler. As the show changes things in terms of how it sets up its weekly cases, Velma’s job becomes obsolete. It’s safe to assume that more coincidental stories will pop up in the future of Tracker, including one that brings Keaton back.

Colter’s “Eat the Rich Case” Explains Why Bobby Opted To Change Jobs

©CBS / Courtesy MovieStillsDB

As for Bobby, and in a bigger scheme of things, “Eat the Rich” also offers an explanation. Since the episode’s case isn’t an official one, Colter isn’t really compensated for his work. Instead, he asks for the gun that the father of the victim owns. It’s a heroic move on his part — something that isn’t out of character. That said, tracking people is also his source of livelihood, which means that for someone like Bobby who still needs to get paid, this kind of case cannot be the norm.

It would be very limiting for both Colter and Tracker‘s storytelling, however, not to tackle these kinds of good deed stories. It helps reinforce its titular character’s image as a loner who has a golden heart. However, it’s also difficult to fault Bobby for walking away, especially if his new job is paying him handsomely. Somehow, this can also apply to Velma, but unlike her, Bobby’s job remains integral to Colter’s adventures, hence why he has been replaced with Randy. Even then, however, he needs the additional work from Reenie’s lawfirm to make a living.