Damon’s Impact on Firehouse 51

Introduced in Season 12, Jack Damon — played by Michael Bradway — quickly became a fan favorite. As Kelly Severide’s half-brother, Damon brought a mix of charm and unpredictability that stirred up fresh drama at Firehouse 51.

Over the course of two seasons, Damon’s presence gave Severide new family ties to navigate while adding tension to the close-knit firehouse dynamic. But just as viewers were beginning to embrace him as part of the One Chicago universe, Damon’s story came to an abrupt end.

Michael Bradway’s Exit Explained

Unlike Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) and Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter), whose exits were tied to budget cuts, Bradway’s departure wasn’t financial. Instead, it came down to scheduling conflicts.

After wrapping Chicago Fire Season 13, Bradway landed a leading role in Prime Video’s upcoming adaptation of Carley Fortune’s best-selling novel Every Summer After. He plays Charlie, one of the main characters. The series began filming during the summer, which directly overlapped with production on Chicago Fire Season 14.

This clash forced Bradway to step away from the NBC drama — at least for now.

How Chicago Fire Writes Him Out

Damon’s departure wasn’t foreshadowed in the Season 13 finale, leaving fans wondering how the show would explain his absence. While the Season 14 premiere confirms he’s no longer around Firehouse 51, the door has been left open for Damon to return later in the season — or even beyond.

Showrunners have kept the specifics under wraps, but unlike other character exits, Damon’s storyline hasn’t been permanently closed. That gives Bradway flexibility to reprise his role once his commitments to Every Summer After are finished.

Could Damon Return?

Yes — and fans are holding out hope. While Jake Lockett’s Carver received a full send-off and Daniel Kyri’s Ritter will only appear sparingly, Damon’s exit feels temporary.

Whether it’s later in Season 14 or further down the line, Damon could step back into Severide’s life — especially since the half-brother bond was still in its early stages. For now, viewers will have to wait and see what storyline, or crisis, could bring him back to Chicago.