The winds of change are blowing hard through Chicago Fire ahead of Season 14 — and for fans of Firehouse 51, the roster looks very different than it did just a few months ago. First came the double gut punch: Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) confirmed they would not be returning. Now, another name has been quietly added to the exit list — and this one hits close to home for Kelly Severide.
Michael Bradway, who stepped into the One Chicago universe in Season 12 as Jack Damon, Severide’s half-brother, will not be appearing in Season 14. The reason isn’t creative friction, but rather good old-fashioned scheduling conflicts. Bradway has just landed a role in Every Summer After, Prime Video’s upcoming adaptation of Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel. With production already underway, there simply isn’t room to juggle both projects.
Who Is Jack Damon to Severide?
Jack’s arrival in Season 12 added a fresh layer of family drama to Severide’s story. As the son of the late Benny Severide, Jack was a surprise addition to the family tree, and his dynamic with Kelly offered a mix of brotherly friction and cautious camaraderie. Fans were eager to see where his journey might lead, especially after sparks began to fly between him and firefighter Novak.
Unfortunately, those embers will burn out before they really catch. Without Bradway on set, any budding Novak–Damon romance is being nipped in the bud — likely explained away with a quick one-liner early in the season. Given the writers’ style, Novak might drop the news to Violet, perhaps while both women reflect on finding themselves single again (Violet’s own relationship with Carver ended with Lockett’s departure).
The On-Screen Exit
While no official storyline has been confirmed, Season 13 left the door wide open for a graceful exit. Jack suffered serious injuries during a call gone wrong and voiced fears about being forced into early retirement. The injury angle could easily be revisited to explain his absence — and perhaps spare other fan-favorite veterans like Herrmann or Mouch from being “cut” amid the show’s teased department shakeups.
Firehouse 51 Still Gets Reinforcements
It’s not all doom and gloom. NBC has announced that On Call star Brandon Larracuente will be joining the Chicago Fire cast as a firefighter and series regular. Details about his character remain tightly under wraps, but his arrival could help fill the void left by multiple exits — though, in true One Chicago fashion, it’s anyone’s guess whether his character will be a perfect fit… or a source of new tensions.
Cuts, Changes, and What’s Next
Showrunner Andrea Newman has already warned viewers that Season 14 will see “a lot of turnover and a lot of craziness going on in the CFD from the top.” This lines up with real-life budget constraints forcing reduced episode appearances for some cast members. Even with major players like Taylor Kinney (Severide) and Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd) locked in for the season, there’s no telling who else might be moved, cut, or temporarily absent.
For now, the door for Jack Damon’s return remains open — Bradway’s departure isn’t permanent, just logistical. If schedules align, we might see Benny Severide’s other son walk back into Firehouse 51 in the future. Until then, fans will have to settle for an off-screen explanation and the hope that family ties in the One Chicago universe never really stay broken for long.
