When a TV show has been on the air as long as Chicago Fire, cast departures are inevitable — but losing two significant characters right after season 13 still feels like a gut punch. It’s the kind of change that makes longtime viewers, myself included, genuinely question whether the show can continue to hold the same magic. And with NBC still not officially renewing any of the One Chicago series for the 2025–2026 season, the uncertainty only amplifies the frustration.
Realistically, though, Chicago Fire season 14, Chicago PD season 13, and Chicago Med season 11 are almost guaranteed. Their ratings, loyal fanbases, and long-running success make renewal more a matter of “when” than “if.” But that reassurance doesn’t soften the blow of the latest cast news.
New episodes of Chicago Fire season 13 continue airing Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, and the season is expected to total 22 episodes. Yet instead of exciting updates about the show’s future, fans have been met with something far more disheartening: the surprise exit of Daniel Kyri (Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Carver) after season 13 — even though season 14 hasn’t officially been greenlit.
According to Deadline, the move stems from NBC’s ongoing budget cuts, which have already caused reductions in episode counts for nearly every cast member this season. Now, it appears those cuts are escalating into full departures. While NBC hasn’t confirmed the news, all signs indicate the report is accurate — and that Ritter and Carver are merely the first casualties of a larger downsizing effort across the entire One Chicago franchise.
This is especially troubling because both characters have become increasingly important to keeping Chicago Fire fresh. Despite NBC seemingly viewing them as expendable due to their shorter tenure, Ritter and Carver have been essential in steering the series into new emotional territory. Their presence brought new energy — new conflicts, new relationships, and new perspectives. At a time when the ongoing Severide–Kidd tension has worn thin, fresh storylines are not just welcome but necessary.
Ritter’s fate feels particularly unfair. Season 13 has pushed him to the sidelines, stripping him of the focus and depth he deserves. His character still has so many unexplored layers, from his friendships to his personal struggles — yet now those stories may never see the light. His exit also stings because it continues a frustrating pattern of LGBTQ/POC characters being phased out of the cast, leaving a noticeable gap in representation.
Carver’s situation is just as heartbreaking. His slow-burn romance with Violet has become one of the most compelling emotional threads of the season. With Casey and Brett gone, and Severide and Kidd’s storyline treading familiar ground, this budding relationship offered something the show desperately needed: a new couple to root for. Season 13 has carefully built toward a Carver–Violet reunion, and to cut him loose now feels emotionally disruptive and narratively wasteful.
As the show moves toward the end of the season, the question becomes: How will Chicago Fire handle their exits? One thing is certain — neither Ritter nor Carver should be killed off. After being underutilized and undervalued, they deserve a send-off filled with dignity and heart. Whether they transfer to a new firehouse, relocate, or pursue a new path, the farewell must honor the impact they’ve had on Firehouse 51 and on the fans who’ve grown to love them.
Because losing Ritter and Carver doesn’t just hurt the show’s present — it casts a shadow over its future. And unless Chicago Fire finds a way to fill the emotional gap they leave behind, season 14 may feel very different from the show fans have cherished for over a decade.
