Chicago Fire fans were left shocked as the show confirmed the departure of Jack Damon, played by Michael Bradway, who joined Firehouse 51 in Season 12. Damon’s character, introduced as Kelly Severide’s younger half-brother, brought a major twist to the One Chicago universe. However, his tenure was short-lived, as the show has seemingly written him out early in Season 13.
Why Did Jack Damon Leave Chicago Fire?
In Season 13, Episode 3, “All Kinds of Crazy,” Damon was dismissed from Firehouse 51 after Lieutenant Stella Kidd, his estranged brother Severide’s wife, called for his termination. Kidd had been managing Damon on her rig but struggled with his disrespect and disobedience. Despite trying to excuse Damon’s behavior due to his relationship with Severide, the breaking point came when he lied about disobeying her direct order during a mission.
Damon’s dishonesty, combined with concerns about his trustworthiness, led Kidd to decide that Damon needed to return to the floater pool. When discussing the situation with Chief Dom Pascal, Kidd admitted she should have flagged his issues sooner. Pascal criticized the constant turnover on her team, even suggesting that her leadership might be part of the problem. Despite this tension, Pascal allowed Kidd to follow through with Damon’s transfer.
Is Jack Damon Gone for Good?
Episode 4 of Season 13, “Through the Skin,” confirmed that Damon had transferred to Firehouse 20, where he was reportedly thriving. Severide visited Damon at his new station, learning that his lieutenant was impressed with him and planned to offer Damon a permanent spot. The episode also featured a heartfelt reconciliation between Severide and Damon, with Severide encouraging his brother to forge his own path.
This moment seemed to serve as the conclusion of Damon’s storyline, with no further mention of him in the following episodes. For many fans, this sudden exit felt abrupt, especially considering the Season 12 cliffhanger that centered on Damon’s introduction as Severide’s half-brother. His early departure left a lot of unresolved potential for exploring family dynamics and his budding relationship with paramedic Lyla “Lizzie” Novak.
Fan Reactions to Damon’s Exit
Many fans expressed disappointment over Damon’s quick departure. His relationship with Severide, his developing romance with Lyla Novak, and the tension he introduced between Severide and Stella created compelling drama that felt underexplored. Despite all these rich storylines, Damon’s character was let go only three episodes into Season 13, leaving many feeling that the show missed an opportunity to deepen these arcs.
Though Michael Bradway promoted the show in an Instagram Story post following Damon’s dismissal, it remains unclear whether the character will return in future episodes. For now, it seems that Jack Damon’s journey on Chicago Fire has come to a close, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.
