As Chicago Fire wrapped its thirteenth season, fans found themselves asking one burning question: Is Sam Carver really leaving Firehouse 51? The finale delivered a rollercoaster of emotions, teasing Carver’s departure to Denver before flipping the script with a kiss that might change everything. What seemed like a quiet goodbye suddenly became one of the most emotionally charged moments of the season — and a spotlight on how far Carver has come.
A Character Who Was Never Meant to Stay
When Jake Lockett first appeared as Sam Carver in Season 11, few predicted how central he would become. Introduced as a hotheaded firefighter with a chip on his shoulder and a history with Stella Kidd, Carver was meant to ruffle feathers, not win hearts. But over time, fans began to see the layers beneath the bravado.
Carver’s development across seasons was gradual but deliberate. Viewers watched him wrestle with trauma, seek redemption, and ultimately find a place among the tightly knit crew at Firehouse 51. His interactions with Kidd became less confrontational and more respectful. His banter with Violet Mikami became something else entirely — a slow burn that no one saw coming.
By Season 13, Carver wasn’t just a side character anymore. He was one of the emotional anchors of the show.
The Goodbye That Wasn’t
In the Season 13 finale, Carver revealed to Violet that he had requested a transfer to Denver. His reasoning felt understandable: after a grueling year full of personal loss and professional strain, he wanted a fresh start. The show seemed to be preparing fans for his exit — right until it wasn’t.
In the final moments, Carver kissed Violet and confessed his love. The ambiguity of that ending hit harder than any explosion could have. It didn’t just tease a romantic resolution; it pulled back the curtain on the inner conflict Carver had been hiding all season.
What followed off-screen was just as surprising. NBC had previously announced Jake Lockett’s departure, but after the finale aired, Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman told NBC Insider something different: Carver might not be gone for good.
“We may not have Carver full-time next season,” Newman said, “but we may have him for a bunch of it too.”
Suddenly, what felt like a farewell started to look like a strategic move — both narratively and logistically.
A Budget Cut or a Story Choice?
There’s been speculation that Jake Lockett’s reduced screen time may be connected to budget constraints. With multiple cast shake-ups and a writers’ strike slowing down production earlier in the year, the network has had to make adjustments.
Lockett was only promoted to series regular in Season 13, so a return to recurring status wouldn’t be unprecedented. In fact, his original role in Season 11 as a recurring character gave him more than enough room to shine.
And maybe that’s the plan moving forward — to keep Carver in the picture, but not on every call.
What This Means for Carver and Violet
The chemistry between Carver and Violet has been one of the most surprising emotional arcs of recent seasons. After the heartbreak Violet endured losing Chief Hawkins, fans were slow to accept a new love interest. But Lockett and Hanako Greensmith played the tension perfectly — never rushing, always letting the moments breathe.
The Season 13 finale marked a turning point. Carver and Violet were no longer in a will-they/won’t-they limbo. That kiss — quiet, tentative, but deeply felt — opened the door to a new chapter for both characters.
But if Carver leaves, can their story survive?
History says no. Fans still remember the implosion of Brett and Casey, another couple who tried long distance. The Chicago Fire universe has rarely been kind to lovers who aren’t stationed in the same house. If Violet and Carver are to have a future, he needs to stay — or at least come back regularly.
Jake Lockett on His Journey So Far
Though Lockett hasn’t spoken at length about his status on the show, he has expressed gratitude for the fan response. In an Instagram post after the finale, he wrote: “This character means more to me than I ever expected. Thank you for riding this out with Carver.”
Cast members and fans alike have praised his performance. Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd) said in a behind-the-scenes clip, “Jake came in swinging — and somehow made Carver both tough and lovable.”
It’s that blend of grit and vulnerability that made Carver’s potential exit so painful — and his possible return so satisfying.
A New Kind of Uncertainty
Chicago Fire has never shied away from change. Characters leave, new ones arrive, and dynamics evolve. But Carver’s situation feels different. His arc wasn’t about walking away. It was about finding family — at Firehouse 51, with Violet, and within himself.
Whether Jake Lockett returns full-time, part-time, or just for a few key episodes, his impact is already lasting. Carver’s presence brought a fresh kind of tension to the series — and a much-needed emotional contrast to the chaos of fire calls.
If Season 14 does bring him back, even in a limited capacity, it will be a win for the fans and the show alike.
Because Carver is more than a plot twist. He’s one of the beating hearts of Chicago Fire. And that heart still has more to give.
