A New Face with Big Potential

Chicago Fire fans were just getting to know Jack Damon, the earnest firefighter portrayed by Michael Bradway, when the character suddenly vanished. Introduced in Season 12, Episode 10 (“The Wrong Guy”), Jack replaced Derrick Gibson (Rome Flynn) on Truck 81 after Gibson’s unexpected exit. Damon’s arrival came at a time of significant cast shake-ups—joining the show after longtime fan favorites like Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) and Blake Gallo (Alberto Rosende) had also left.

Despite his late arrival, Damon quickly made an impact. By the end of Season 12, it was revealed that Jack was Kelly Severide’s (Taylor Kinney) younger half-brother, setting the stage for potential long-term emotional arcs. Many assumed Bradway had secured a permanent spot at Firehouse 51.

But before Season 14 premiered, the show made a quiet announcement that Damon had been transferred to another firehouse—with no on-screen goodbye, and no promise of a return.

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Behind the Scenes: A New Opportunity Beckons

The real reason for Bradway’s departure? Amazon’s Prime Video. The actor landed a leading role in the highly anticipated streaming adaptation of Carley Fortune’s hit novel Every Summer After. Bradway is set to portray Charlie, the charming older brother of love interest Sam, in the romantic drama that’s been called “the next Summer I Turned Pretty.”

Production for the series began in summer 2025, overlapping with Chicago Fire’s filming schedule. According to showrunner Andrea Newman, Season 14 was already undergoing “a lot of turnover,” and Bradway’s new commitment meant he had to walk away.

Though the decision disappointed fans, producers reportedly left the door open for his return. Damon’s off-screen “transfer” keeps the character alive in the One Chicago universe—ready to come back if the opportunity arises.

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Was Jack Damon’s Exit a Mistake?

Narratively, Jack’s connection to Severide held major potential. Their half-brother twist could have opened up fresh dynamics for one of the show’s most iconic characters. Instead, the plot thread was quietly dropped. Fans hoping for a deeper emotional storyline were left hanging.

Still, Damon’s departure mirrors many in Chicago Fire history—quiet, abrupt, and often dictated by external opportunities. Bradway, like others before him, is chasing a bigger platform, and the allure of a Prime Video romantic hit might be too good to pass up.

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What’s Next for Bradway—and for Chicago Fire?

While Every Summer After doesn’t yet have a premiere date, anticipation is building—especially with BookTok fueling early buzz. Bradway’s performance in the emotionally driven romance could propel him into leading-man territory.

As for Chicago Fire, fans are still grappling with Firehouse 51’s future amid Severide’s life-threatening case and budget cuts threatening to shut the station down. And with Jack Damon gone, the team is down yet another brave firefighter.

Will Bradway return to the flames—or has Jack Damon’s chapter quietly closed for good?