The smoke hasn’t even cleared from Colter Shaw’s (Justin Hartley) mangled vehicle in the Season 3 midseason cliffhanger, “Good Trouble,” but the industry is already looking toward the horizon. While fans are agonizing over the 11-week wait until the show returns on March 1, 2026, a “bombshell” leak has suggested that the Tracker universe is about to get much larger. Reports indicate that CBS and 20th Television are in the early stages of exploring a standalone spin-off for Russell Shaw, played by the iconic Jensen Ackles.
The “Holiday Text” That Sparked the Fire
The hype reached a fever pitch after showrunner Elwood Reid recently went on the record, admitting his obsession with bringing Ackles back. In a candid interview, Reid shared, “I’m about ready to text him after the holidays, see if I can get some time with him.” This isn’t just about a guest spot; it’s about a creative “Ramp Up.”
Reid has been vocal about “throwing in spinoff hints” during the Season 3 premiere episodes. He’s deliberately planting seeds that Russell Shaw—an Alpha operative who “does not do what Justin does”—is carrying a story far too big for a recurring guest role. The chemistry between the two leads is described as “rare,” and the network is reportedly paying close attention to the massive audience response whenever the brothers share the screen.
The Lone-Wolf Burden vs. The Russell Shaw Mystery
For three seasons, we’ve followed Colter Shaw as he carries the “Lone Wolf” burden. But the Season 3 premiere, “The Process,” revealed a crucial shift. Colter finally told Russell the truth about their father’s death—a secret their mother, Mary Dove, had hidden for two decades.
This revelation didn’t just heal the brothers; it opened a Pandora’s Box. While Colter is the serious “Rewardist” stuck in his feelings, Russell is the tactical joker who “represses everything and pretends it doesn’t exist.” The potential spin-off would reportedly focus on Russell’s “loose ends”—the classified government work he was “fired” from and the mysterious “process” that has been hunting the family. It would be a “Character-Driven Noir” that explores the darker, more military-adjacent side of the Shaw legacy.
[Image: A grainy, black-and-white surveillance photo of Russell Shaw leaning against a black muscle car in a rainy alleyway.]
Justin Hartley’s Production Empire: The 20th TV Deal
Supporting this expansion is Justin Hartley’s massive new deal with 20th Television. Under his ChangeUp Productions banner, Hartley is ramping up to deliver a slate of “impressive projects.” By securing this multi-year first-look deal in late 2025, Hartley has positioned himself as a mogul.
The strategy is clear: use the unparalleled success of Tracker to launch a “Tracker Cinematic Universe.” If Hartley can produce a Russell Shaw spin-off, he effectively secures two top-tier dramas on the CBS schedule. This allows Hartley to share the physical burden of being a leading man with Ackles, while still maintaining executive control over the franchise.
Drama Family Shaw: The Dark Ride to the Finale
The road to this potential spin-off begins with the March 1, 2026 return. Episode 10 will resolve the cliffhanger that left Colter “in really bad shape” after his car was sprayed with bullets and sent over a cliff.
The second half of Season 3 is being described as a “Dark Ride.” As Colter pulls on “multiple threads” that lead him back into his past, he will need Russell more than ever. The “Family Plot” is reaching a boiling point where the brothers must decide if they are allies or rivals in the face of a shadowy group that has been manipulating their lives since childhood. The introduction of new characters like Maxine (Kathleen Robertson) and Mel (Cassady McClincy Zhang) suggests a world that is becoming far too complex for one man to track alone.
Conclusion: The Hype is Real
The “Leak Tương Lai” isn’t just about a new show; it’s about the evolution of television’s biggest hit. Jensen Ackles isn’t just a “Star Guest”; he is the missing piece of the Tracker puzzle. With Elwood Reid ready to “steal him” from his other projects like Vought Rising and Countdown, and Justin Hartley’s production empire hitting its stride, the Russell Shaw spin-off feels less like a rumor and more like an inevitability.
The hunt is no longer just for missing people. It’s for the truth behind the Shaw name—and that truth is a bombshell that will rock 2026.
