For 13 seasons, Chicago Fire has delivered more than edge-of-your-seat rescues. It has also given fans powerful character journeys rooted in family, friendship, and sacrifice. Few characters embody that mix of grit and heart better than veteran firefighter Christopher Herrmann, played by David Eigenberg.
Heading into Season 13, many viewers assumed Herrmann was destined for the chief’s badge. With Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) moving up and Don Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) taking over as battalion chief, the stage seemed set for Herrmann’s promotion.
But the finale stunned fans. Herrmann not only declined the chance to become chief — he also stepped down from his officer role, allowing his longtime friend Mouch (Christian Stolte) to rise instead.
Now, with Season 14 arriving October 1, Eigenberg has explained why he believes that was the best move for both the character and the show.
Not Every Firefighter Is Built to Lead from the Top
Speaking on the One Chicago Podcast with host Brian Luce, Eigenberg praised the writers for keeping Herrmann grounded and realistic.
“It doesn’t look like [Herrmann] can pull off the whole chief thing,” he admitted. “I like that. They asked if I wanted Herrmann to be chief, and I said, ‘Whatever you want. I’m a hired gun. I don’t have enough ego in the game. I just love people and want to stay around as long as I can.’”
To explain his point, the actor compared Herrmann to a boxer in the novel The Knockout Artist — incredibly skilled but with a “glass chin.”
“Sometimes you’re just born with a glass chin,” Eigenberg said. “It’s not because you don’t have heart. Sometimes it’s just not who you are. And I like that the show reflects that. It’s not always about climbing the ladder. Sometimes it’s about just doing the job. That’s what firefighters and PD are really about.”
The Pressure That Broke Herrmann
According to showrunner Andrea Newman, Herrmann’s decision didn’t come out of nowhere. The seeds were planted all through Season 13.
Boden’s public declaration that Herrmann should be his successor weighed heavily on him. At the same time, Mouch — fresh from a near-death experience — returned with a fire in his belly, pushing harder than ever.
“Herrmann’s kind of caught between these two things,” Newman explained. “The one question he never asked himself was, ‘Do I even want this?’”
Then came Pascal, whose strict, top-down leadership style forced Herrmann to face reality. Being chief means standing back during rescues, directing instead of doing. For Herrmann — a hands-on firefighter who thrives on being in the middle of the action — that was never going to fit.
What Season 14 Holds
Herrmann’s decision opens the door for a fresh dynamic in Season 14. With Mouch stepping into the officer role, the balance between the two longtime friends will shift.
“Mouch really steps up and takes over,” Newman teased. “That’s going to complicate things once he’s Herrmann’s boss.”
Fans can expect conflict, pride, and loyalty to collide in new ways inside Firehouse 51 — testing one of the show’s strongest friendships.
Why Herrmann’s Story Matters
In a TV world where characters often climb endlessly upward, Herrmann’s story is strikingly honest. Not every firefighter — or hero — needs to wear the chief’s badge.
For Herrmann, fulfillment comes from being in the thick of the action, running Molly’s Pub, supporting his family, and backing up his crew.
As Eigenberg put it, “Sometimes it’s not about getting the golden goose. Sometimes it’s just about getting on with it.”
That real-world honesty may be why Chicago Fire continues to burn bright after more than a decade — reminding fans that true strength isn’t always found at the top.
