After the devastating loss of Bobby (Peter Krause) in 9-1-1 season 8, the 118 needs a new permanent captain. The 9-1-1 season 8 finale hinted at who would be the one to take over, but it is not Bobbys’ true protégé. Chimney (Kenneth Choi) stepped up and proved that he is the leader the 118 needs next. After a difficult call, he made it clear that Buck couldn’t go to another firehouse and that Eddie (Ryan Guzman) couldn’t return to Texas. Buck even slipped up and called Chimney “Cap” in response. However, Buck is Bobby’s true protégé, and it could have made some sense for Bobby to have wanted him to be the new captain in 9-1-1 season 9. However, we’ve already seen why Buck is not ready for this promotion, hence why it makes sense that he doesn’t get it.
Buck Is Bobby’s True Protégé In 9-1-1. Bobby Was Like A Father To Buck. When Buck first joined the 118 in the 9-1-1 series premiere, he was wild and unpredictable. He didn’t really have a father figure in his life to look up to, and that led to some terrible decisions both personally and professionally. Over the seasons, he continued to offer Buck advice, shaping him into an empathetic person and loyal team member.
Bobby helped to shape Buck into the man that we know he is today. After a difficult call on a rollercoaster, Bobby helped Buck work through that loss and look ahead at the future. Over the seasons, he continued to offer Buck advice, shaping him into an empathetic person and loyal team member. While Bobby was a leader to Hen and Chimney as well, they didn’t need the father figure that Buck needed. At the same time, they weren’t young enough for Bobby to impart as much wisdom onto. It’s fitting that Buck was the one there just before Athena when we learned that Bobby was sick from the virus. This gave Bobby one last chance to be the man Buck needed, making it clear that Buck would get through this.
If you’re a diehard 9-1-1 fan, then you probably have a lot of feelings about Bobby Nash — the calm-in-the-chaos captain who’s held the 118 together through literal hellfire. With recent rumors about his eventual departure swirling and fans debating who could step up, the spotlight naturally falls on his most trusted protege. But here’s the thing: the show already answered this question three years ago, and most of us totally missed it. Let’s break down why Bobby’s protégé — despite all the training, loyalty, and experience — can’t be his true replacement, and how 9-1-1 masterfully planted that seed way back in Season 5.
Bobby Nash — More Than Just a Captain
The Emotional Anchor of the 118
Bobby isn’t just the leader of the 118 — he’s the heart of it. Since the first season, he’s worn many hats: captain, mentor, father figure, and even therapist at times. His emotional intelligence is just as vital as his command skills.
Why Leadership Under Bobby Feels Different
Let’s face it — Bobby’s leadership is calm, compassionate, and unshakeable. His strength is in how he connects with his team, not just how he commands them. That’s what makes him irreplaceable.
The Question on Every Fan’s Mind: Who Could Replace Bobby?
Enter His Loyal Protege
When talking about possible replacements, one name always comes up: Eddie Diaz. Trained under Bobby’s guidance, experienced in the field, and respected by the team, Eddie looks like the obvious choice on paper.
Why It Made Sense… At First
He’s smart, level-headed, and driven. And let’s not forget — Bobby trusted him with major calls, even personal advice. But there’s more to the story.
Flashback to Season 5 — The Real Clue
The Episode That Changed Everything
Remember Season 5, Episode 3 (“Desperate Times”)? That’s when the cracks in Eddie’s suitability first showed. Eddie was struggling — emotionally, mentally, and even physically. And Bobby saw it.
Bobby’s Silent Decision
Without ever explicitly saying it, Bobby made a choice in that episode. He stepped back from grooming Eddie as his replacement and instead focused on helping him heal, not lead.
Why Eddie Diaz Can’t Be the Next Captain
Leadership Requires Stability
Eddie has a troubled past — PTSD from the military, single parenthood struggles, and a complex emotional landscape. While these make him relatable, they also make leadership risky.
Emotional Burdens Weigh Heavy
We saw Eddie’s breakdown, his decision to leave the 118 temporarily, and his ongoing therapy. That arc wasn’t just for character development — it was a neon sign that said: not yet ready.
Bobby’s Quiet Observations
Bobby didn’t push Eddie to take on more than he could handle. That’s leadership. And it also tells us he knows Eddie isn’t the one to replace him — at least not in the traditional sense.
The Role of a Protege Isn’t Always to Replace
Growth Over Promotion
Sometimes, a mentor’s job isn’t to prepare you to fill their shoes — it’s to help you walk in your own. Bobby may have seen Eddie’s potential, but also recognized that his path wasn’t the same.
Eddie’s Journey Is Personal, Not Positional
Eddie’s arc has been about healing, fatherhood, and finding peace — not chasing rank. Leadership in the field might come later, but it isn’t his priority, and 9-1-1 made that clear early on.
The 118’s Team Dynamic Would Shift Too Much
Not Everyone Is Meant to Lead
Eddie is amazing in action, no doubt. But leadership changes the vibe. The camaraderie, the teamwork — it all shifts when one of your own becomes the boss. The 118 thrives because of its balance. Making Eddie captain would upset that harmony.
Buck and Chimney’s Roles
Buck is the heart. Chimney is the glue. Eddie is the rock. Each has a place. None are ready to take Bobby’s — and maybe that’s the point.
Who Could Replace Bobby, Then?
A New Face or a Promotion?
If the time comes, 9-1-1 might bring in someone new. Or — plot twist — promote someone like Chimney, whose leadership is quiet but consistent.
Or… Maybe No One Can Truly Replace Him
That might be the real answer. Maybe the show isn’t preparing us for a replacement, but rather, for letting go.
The Writers Left the Clues on Purpose
9-1-1’s Writing is Subtle Genius
The show doesn’t hit you over the head with plot points. It whispers them. If you look back at the key Eddie episodes, the pattern is there — Bobby saw Eddie’s limits and chose empathy over succession.
Emotional Payoff Over Plot Twists
Instead of a shocking reveal about Eddie taking over, the show gives us emotional truth: he’s not ready, and that’s okay.
What This Teaches Us About Leadership
Replacing Isn’t Replicating
Just because someone follows in your footsteps doesn’t mean they can (or should) take your place. Bobby’s protégé doesn’t need to be Bobby — he just needs to be the best version of himself.
The Bigger Picture — 9-1-1’s Long Game
Growth Over Shock Value
This isn’t a drama that thrives on chaos alone. It’s about evolution. Watching Eddie not replace Bobby is part of the story. It’s character development — not a letdown.
Conclusion: Bobby’s Legacy Isn’t About Replacement
9-1-1 told us loud and clear — three years ago — that Eddie isn’t Bobby’s successor in the way we expected. And that’s not a failure. That’s just storytelling brilliance. Bobby’s real legacy might be that his leadership inspired growth, not demanded it.
