While the official NBC teaser for the January 7, 2026 winter premiere shows the Intelligence Unit closing in on a serial killer, the real drama has been unfolding in the dark corners of Chicago’s high society. We’ve been tracking the “unexplained absence” of Patrick John Flueger (Adam Ruzek), and the trail doesn’t lead to a police station—it leads to a $10 million breach of contract and a very public “Best Friend” cover-up.
1. THE ‘PERSONAL MATTER’ SMOKESCREEN
When Flueger announced his indefinite leave of absence on October 22, 2025, the network cited a “personal matter.” But sources behind the scenes at Cinespace Studios have leaked a far more chaotic reality.
The On-Set ‘Incident’: Reports have surfaced regarding a “difficult period” in Flueger’s personal life that allegedly bled onto the set, including whispers of a high-stakes confrontation with producers over his character’s “stagnant” arc following the Burzek wedding.
The Rewrites: The writers were reportedly forced to scrap three major “Ruzek-centric” episodes in November, frantically pivoting the focus to Arienne Mandi (Imani) to hide the fact that their leading man was nowhere to be found.
2. THE LYRIC OPERA ‘PUPPET SHOW’: A Masterclass in PR
On November 23, 2025, the internet exploded when Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess) posted a dapper photo of Flueger at the Lyric Opera.
The “Third Wheel” Tension: While the photo showed Flueger with his arms around both Marina and his real-life partner, Reem Amara, body language experts on social media pointed to the “forced” smiles.
The Diversion: Insiders claim this wasn’t just a night out—it was a mandatory public appearance orchestrated by the network’s PR team to prove Flueger hadn’t “gone rogue.” The “best friend” narrative was pushed hard to distract fans from the rumors that Flueger’s contract was hanging by a thread.
3. THE $5,000,000 ‘BIRTHDAY’ BAIT
Fast forward to December 10, 2025. Marina Squerciati posted a video of the cast celebrating Flueger’s birthday on set.
The Return Price Tag: Sources suggest Flueger’s return wasn’t motivated by “missing the fans.” Rumors are swirling about a $5 million bonus and a promise of a “Executive Producer” credit for Season 14.
The “Strained” Celebration: Look closely at the video—while LaRoyce Hawkins is cheering, the senior cast members appear “professionally polite.” The vibe on set is reportedly “frozen,” with many crew members still upset over the overtime they had to work to cover Flueger’s two-month “vanishing act.”
4. JANUARY 7: THE ‘GHOST’ PREMIERE
As Chicago P.D. returns next Wednesday, pay attention to Adam Ruzek’s screen time.
The “Archival” Edit: There are whispers that the production team is using unused footage from Season 12 to pad out Ruzek’s scenes in the first two episodes of 2026, as Flueger only returned to physical filming three weeks ago.
The “Imposed” Marriage: The Burzek “honeymoon phase” is being used as a narrative shield. By focusing on their domestic bliss, the showrunners can keep Ruzek in “desk duty” scenes, avoiding the physically demanding stunts that Flueger is reportedly still “not cleared” to perform.
THE VERDICT: A HOUSE DIVIDED
Adam Ruzek is back, but the man behind the badge is still in the middle of a legal and personal firestorm. Between the “personal matter” leaks and the calculated Opera photos, the 21st District is a pressure cooker waiting to explode in 2026.
