The Chicago P.D. fandom has been buzzing ever since Jesse Lee Soffer, the beloved actor who portrayed Detective Jay Halstead for nearly a decade, walked away from the show. His exit left a noticeable void—not only in the fictional Intelligence Unit, but also in the hearts of fans who had grown attached to his steady presence and his complicated romance with Detective Hailey Upton. Now, a new wave of rumors has reignited hope, but with a surprising twist: Soffer may be returning to the show, not to rejoin the team permanently, but rather to craft a dramatic exit storyline for another main character.
Insiders familiar with the production have suggested that conversations are ongoing about bringing Soffer back for a limited run. The plan, however, isn’t the triumphant reunion fans might expect. Instead, the discussions center on Soffer lending his influence—both in front of the camera and possibly behind it as a director—to design a proper narrative closure for a cast member whose storyline is proving difficult to resolve. The idea is that Halstead’s presence could help smooth over what might otherwise feel like a jarring or unsatisfying departure.
This possibility has fueled a frenzy of speculation online. Some fans believe the character in question could be Hailey Upton, played by Tracy Spiridakos, who has been struggling in Halstead’s absence both emotionally and narratively. “It makes perfect sense,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “If Hailey leaves, it has to involve Jay somehow. Otherwise it just won’t feel complete.” Others, however, argue that the rumored exit could involve another key member of the Intelligence Unit, setting up a shocking twist that no one sees coming.
What makes the theory particularly intriguing is Soffer’s deepening involvement with Chicago P.D. even after his departure. Since leaving, he has returned to the franchise in a behind-the-scenes capacity, stepping into the director’s chair. That ongoing relationship has kept doors open, and sources suggest that producers remain eager to find ways of integrating him back into the storytelling whenever possible. A short-term return tied to a pivotal storyline could satisfy that desire without committing him to a full-time comeback.
Of course, nothing has been confirmed by NBC or Wolf Entertainment, and both Soffer and Spiridakos have kept quiet about the whispers circulating online. Still, fans have latched onto every clue, from vague social media posts to subtle comments in interviews, in hopes of piecing together what’s next. “Even if it’s just for one or two episodes, seeing Jay again would mean everything,” one Reddit user wrote. “We need closure, and no one else can give it to us but Jesse.”
The possibility also underscores a larger trend in the One Chicago universe: beloved actors returning for short arcs to provide emotional payoff or to help launch new directions for the story. In a franchise known for dramatic exits, producers seem increasingly aware of how important closure is for the fan base. If Soffer does come back, it won’t just be about resolving one character’s journey—it will be about honoring years of storytelling and giving audiences the kind of ending they’ve been begging for.
Whether Jesse Lee Soffer’s return will actually happen, and which character might be exiting because of it, remains shrouded in secrecy. But one thing is clear: even after his official departure, Soffer’s presence looms large over Chicago P.D.—and fans are more than ready to welcome him back, even if only for one last goodbye.
