For over a decade, Squad 3 has been a cornerstone of Chicago Fire — a specialized rescue unit known for taking the toughest calls and running toward danger when others run away. At the heart of Squad was always Kelly Severide, played with a brooding brilliance by Taylor Kinney. But in Season 14, things look very different. With Severide absent for long stretches, Squad 3 is in the midst of a quiet but powerful transformation — one that’s redefining what it means to lead, serve, and survive at Firehouse 51.
The Void Severide Left Behind
Severide has long been the face of Squad 3: a natural leader, a fire scene savant, and a mentor to nearly everyone who walked through 51’s doors. His sudden absences in recent seasons — both narrative and real-life — created a ripple effect that couldn’t be ignored. The show didn’t rush to fill the gap. Instead, it leaned into the emotional weight of the void.
There was no dramatic replacement. No eager newcomer stepping in to take the crown. Instead, we saw a grieving, determined Squad trying to hold itself together — and that made the story even richer.
Cruz Steps Up
No one has carried more of that weight than Joe Cruz. For years, Cruz was Severide’s loyal second-in-command — reliable, steady, and quietly brave. But Season 14 has given Cruz room to grow in ways fans have been hoping for. No longer in someone else’s shadow, he’s now the unofficial face of Squad 3, and his leadership style reflects his personal evolution.
Cruz isn’t a carbon copy of Severide — and that’s the point. Where Severide leads with instinct and gut calls, Cruz leads with empathy and precision. He checks on his team after tough calls. He carries the memory of Otis in every breath. He talks things through, takes the emotional temperature, and doesn’t pretend he has all the answers. In doing so, he’s becoming the kind of leader Firehouse 51 needs in this new era.
Squad 3’s New Blood
One of the strengths of Chicago Fire has always been its ability to bring in new characters without losing its heart. Squad 3’s new additions in Season 14 are still finding their footing, but the seeds of something special are there.
Whether it’s a rookie with something to prove or a seasoned firefighter reassigned from another house, the dynamic inside Squad is shifting. It’s no longer built around one man’s gravity — it’s a team in flux, learning to trust each other in a world where backup isn’t guaranteed and danger is always just a dispatch away.
And that evolution has made the squad scenes feel more raw and unpredictable. There’s tension. There’s friction. But there’s also camaraderie — the kind that’s forged in fire and heartbreak.
The Weight of Legacy
Even in his absence, Severide’s presence looms over every Squad call. His name is mentioned sparingly but always with reverence. Cruz still checks old notes from their joint trainings. Younger members whisper stories of legendary rescues. And Boden occasionally gives a look that says, “We miss him too.”
But Chicago Fire isn’t trying to erase Severide — it’s honoring him by showing that his lessons live on in those he mentored. And if or when he returns, it won’t be to pick up where he left off — it’ll be to see how far Squad has come without him.
Squad’s Greatest Test Yet
Midway through Season 14, Squad 3 faced one of its most grueling calls to date: a multi-vehicle collision inside a freeway tunnel, with toxic smoke and limited visibility. It was a scene tailor-made for Severide — and yet, Cruz led the charge. The scene was tense, claustrophobic, and full of emotional payoff. When Cruz emerged with a survivor draped over his shoulder and oxygen levels dropping, the moment felt earned. He wasn’t replacing Severide. He was honoring him.
The new Squad worked together like a team that’s been through war — not perfect, but unbreakable. It was a turning point. For them. For viewers. For the show.
Final Thoughts
The evolution of Squad 3 is more than just a subplot — it’s a metaphor for Chicago Fire itself. As the series matures and its original lineup shifts, the show is proving that legacy isn’t about holding onto the past. It’s about building something that lasts beyond the people who started it.
Severide may return. Or he may not. But Squad 3 is no longer waiting for a savior. They’ve found their strength. They’ve found each other. And in doing so, they’ve shown us that real leadership isn’t about titles or instincts — it’s about showing up, day after day, with your crew by your side.
