In a surprising twist, Chicago Fire has officially confirmed the departure of Jack Damon, played by Michael Bradway, from Firehouse 51 in Season 13. Damon’s storyline began with excitement when he joined Truck 81 in Season 12 and stunned fans with the revelation that he was the half-brother of Lieutenant Kelly Severide. However, despite this shocking connection, Damon’s time at Firehouse 51 has been cut short, and it appears he’s already moved on from the NBC procedural.
Why Did Jack Damon Leave Firehouse 51?
Damon’s dismissal came in Season 13, Episode 3, titled “All Kinds of Crazy,” after Lieutenant Stella Kidd—Severide’s wife and Damon’s superior—requested his removal. Their conflict arose when Damon, despite idolizing his brother Severide, failed to respect Kidd’s authority on her rig. This dynamic escalated when Damon lied to Kidd about not hearing her direct order during a rescue mission. Kidd, who had previously tolerated Damon’s disregard for her leadership due to his family ties with Severide, reached a breaking point, feeling unable to ignore his insubordination.
As Kidd approached Chief Dom Pascal, who had recently noted that Kidd’s team was experiencing high turnover, she requested Damon be reassigned to the floater pool. Pascal, however, initially resisted, pointing out that Kidd had never formally reported any issues with Damon. “He disobeyed a direct order on that speedboat call,” she explained. Pascal, unimpressed by Kidd’s late admission, questioned her judgment and implied that Kidd’s leadership might be part of the problem if turnover continued. In response, Kidd acknowledged her own responsibility but stood firm on her decision to let Damon go.
Is Jack Damon Gone from Chicago Fire for Good?
In Episode 4, “Through the Skin,” it appears Damon has officially left Firehouse 51. Now stationed at Firehouse 20, he’s reportedly thriving, with the lieutenant there showing a strong interest in keeping him on as a full-time member. Severide even visited Firehouse 20, offering his brother some heartfelt advice: rather than living in anyone’s shadow, Damon should make a name for himself. This moment between the brothers seemed to bring closure to Damon’s storyline and marked the end of his time on the show. In Episode 5, “Down the Rabbit Hole,” Damon’s character wasn’t mentioned, further suggesting his exit from Chicago Fire was complete.
Was Damon’s Departure a Missed Opportunity?
For many fans, Damon’s departure feels premature, given the cliffhanger reveal of his family connection to Severide. The show seemed poised to explore the complex dynamics between Damon, Severide, and Kidd, especially since Damon’s presence added tension to Kidd and Severide’s marriage. Fans were also intrigued by the hinted romantic storyline between Damon and the new paramedic, Lyla “Lizzie” Novak. With so much left to explore in these relationships, some viewers feel his character was underutilized.
Adding to the uncertainty around Damon’s future, Bradway recently promoted Chicago Fire on his Instagram, suggesting he might not be done with the series just yet. However, as it stands, Damon’s departure feels like a rushed conclusion to an arc that had potential for deeper development and intrigue.
