Next week’s episode of Chicago P.D., airing Wednesday, January 22, 2025, promises to be one of the most emotional entries the series has delivered in years. Titled simply “Goodbye,” the episode’s promo has left viewers scrambling for clues, theories, and tissues. Because someone is leaving — and it might not be who you think.
For weeks, the tension within the Intelligence Unit has been mounting. Secrets have been kept. Trust has been stretched thin. And now, in a moment that feels inevitable, we’re about to lose a member of the family.
The biggest question remains: who?
Early theories from fans on social media point toward Kevin Atwater, whose internal battles have only grown louder this season. Caught between his values and the department’s increasing moral grayness, Atwater has been questioning his place in the unit. His recent conflicts with Voight and his hesitance in the field suggest a man at a crossroads. Could this be his exit?
But there’s another possibility that’s sending shockwaves through the fandom — Hailey Upton. After losing Halstead and burying herself in work, Upton has been emotionally unraveling beneath the surface. Viewers have seen her retreat into herself, take increasingly dangerous risks, and isolate from her team. Could the goodbye be hers — a transfer, a breakdown, or something even more permanent?
And then, there’s the wildcard: Adam Ruzek. After his near-death experience, Ruzek has been changed. Quiet. Different. Is he stepping back from the unit for good?
The writers of Chicago P.D. have only offered one ominous tease: “This isn’t just a goodbye. It’s a turning point that will change Intelligence forever.”
What does that mean for Hank Voight, the man who’s already lost too many? Will this departure push him deeper into the shadows, or bring out a version of Voight we haven’t seen since the earliest seasons — raw, reckless, and relentless?
Beyond the emotional blow, the goodbye will likely open new doors. Rumors swirl of a new addition to the team, someone who may shake things up in ways fans aren’t ready for. And while replacements are never truly replacements in the One Chicago universe, the show’s never been afraid to move forward — even if it means leaving pieces of our hearts behind.
