The Chicago P.D. fandom is once again divided — and this time, the spotlight is on Adam Ruzek. After Patrick John Flueger’s character spent a noticeable stretch away from Intelligence, fans didn’t just ask where he went. They started asking something sharper: Has Ruzek become a better dad than a cop?
What followed was an avalanche of memes, hot takes, and brutally honest commentary.
Some viewers praised the storyline for finally showing a softer, more grounded side of Ruzek. They argue that stepping back from the chaos of the unit made him more human. More real. A man trying to build something stable after years of trauma, loss, and reckless choices. To them, Ruzek as a father figure isn’t weakness — it’s growth.
But others? They weren’t buying it.
For critics, Ruzek’s absence from the streets felt like a betrayal of what made him compelling in the first place. They miss the impulsive, intense detective who charged into danger without overthinking. Instead, they say the show gave them a version of Ruzek who hesitates, retreats, and feels disconnected from the action. One viral post summed it up perfectly:
“Ruzek went from ride-or-die to ride-and-hide.”
Ouch.
The memes followed fast. Screenshots of Ruzek looking conflicted were turned into captions like “When your babysitter shift overlaps your cop shift.” Another read: “Chicago P.D. but Ruzek’s on PTO… emotionally.” It was brutal — but also kind of hilarious.
Still, not everyone is laughing. A strong part of the fandom believes this arc deserves awards, not ridicule. They argue Patrick John Flueger delivered one of his most nuanced performances yet — quiet, restrained, full of internal conflict. Instead of playing Ruzek loud, angry, and explosive, he played him tired. Thoughtful. Wounded. And that kind of acting often gets overlooked because it isn’t flashy.
What’s really driving the debate is a bigger question: What do fans actually want from Adam Ruzek?
Do they want:
• The reckless cop who makes bad choices and pays for them
• Or the grown man trying to be better than he used to be?
Because those two versions don’t always coexist comfortably.
And that tension is exactly why this storyline is hitting such a nerve.
Ruzek has always been messy. Emotional. Too loyal. Too impulsive. Now he’s cautious — and for some fans, that feels like the death of the character they loved. For others, it feels like evolution.
So is Patrick John Flueger’s Ruzek in “Best Dad” mode… or “Worst Cop” territory?
Maybe the real answer is both.
He’s a man caught between who he was and who he’s trying to become.
And whether fans roast him, meme him, or campaign for awards — one thing is clear:
Nobody’s ignoring Adam Ruzek.
And in the world of Chicago P.D., that might be the most powerful position of all. 🚔🔥