For years, Chicago Fire has built its reputation on high-stakes emergencies and equally fiery romances. But in Season 14, the most dramatic blaze might not come from a firehouse call — it could come from the end of one of the show’s most compelling love stories.
NBC has already confirmed that Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) and Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) are leaving Chicago Fire, a shockwave that caught fans completely off guard. Viewers had just watched Carver and Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) finally give in to their feelings, sealing Season 13 with a kiss and confessions of love. After a season of longing, heartbreak, and missed timing, the couple seemed ready to step into a new chapter. And yet, that chapter may be cut short before it truly begins.
So, how exactly will the writers extinguish Carver and Violet’s romance in Season 14? Here are the seven most plausible — and heartbreaking — ways it could all play out.
1. Carver Moves to Denver, Leaving Violet Behind
The Season 13 finale already teased Carver’s temptation to transfer to the Denver Fire Department. After everything he’s endured, he saw the move as a clean slate. But choosing Denver means leaving Violet in Chicago, cutting short their newfound happiness. It’s the most straightforward, bittersweet way to close their story.
2. A Return to Texas Forces Carver’s Goodbye
Carver’s past in Texas has haunted him throughout his arc. With sobriety and healing still fresh, Season 14 could send him home to confront his demons. If he decides to stay there permanently, Violet will be left nursing yet another heartbreak.
3. Long-Distance Love — Until It Falls Apart
The writers could initially keep the romance alive with a long-distance relationship, echoing Casey and Brett’s storyline. But fans remember how that ended: distance wore them down. Carver and Violet could try to make it work, but the odds — and network contracts — are stacked against them.
4. Carver Transfers to Another Chicago Firehouse
Even if Carver doesn’t leave the city, he may leave Firehouse 51. Being near Violet could prove too painful, especially as he continues his recovery. A transfer would keep him in Chicago canonically, but separate him from Violet and the core cast.
5. Carver Quits Firefighting Entirely
After his turbulent Season 13 journey, Carver could decide firefighting is no longer for him. Budget cuts, layoffs, or his personal struggles could push him out of the CFD altogether. If that happens, his romance with Violet ends by default — she’s not going anywhere.
6. Violet Meets Someone New
This is perhaps the most unpopular option among fans, but it’s possible. With Carver gone, Chicago Fire could introduce a fresh love interest for Violet to spark with. The challenge? Finding someone who matches Carver’s intensity and Violet’s vulnerability — no easy task.
7. The Unthinkable: Carver Dies Offscreen
It’s a possibility fans dread. Though Season 13 didn’t foreshadow tragedy, Chicago Fire has never shied away from shocking deaths. Killing Carver off would end his story abruptly — and cruelly echo Violet’s past loss of Evan Hawkins. It would be devastating, but undeniably dramatic.
The Bigger Picture
No matter how the writers decide to close the book on Carver and Violet, one truth remains: their love story was one of the most authentic and emotionally charged arcs in Chicago Fire’s recent history. Fans were invested in their push-and-pull, in Violet’s guarded heart and Carver’s steady determination to win it.
Season 14 promises answers, but also heartbreak. Whether it’s through distance, career changes, or something far darker, Violet and Carver’s romance seems destined to end in ashes. The real question is: how will Violet pick up the pieces this time?
