Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), we hardly knew you—and now, it looks like we’re about to say goodbye for good. It’s been confirmed that Carver will not be returning to Chicago Fire if the show is renewed for Season 14. While he still has a few episodes left this season, fans are already mourning the loss. Carver brought a fiery, unpredictable edge to Firehouse 51—one that made him as compelling as he was complex.
From personal demons to intense romantic entanglements, Carver’s arc has been anything but easy. And now, with little time to build a long goodbye, Chicago Fire has a narrow window to write him out. So how will they do it? Here are four possibilities—some bittersweet, some heartbreaking, all very Chicago Fire.
1. Carver Relapses and Checks Back into Rehab
One of the most grounded and realistic options would be to have Carver voluntarily step away to deal with his addiction. His struggle with alcohol has been a major thread throughout Season 13, and in a rare moment of clarity, he recently requested a leave of absence to enter rehab. It was a mature move—a sign of growth.
However, Chicago Fire has never shied away from portraying the messy reality of recovery. If Carver returns only to relapse under the emotional strain of his job and his fractured relationship with Violet (Hanako Greensmith), it would make sense for him to bow out and recommit to his sobriety. It’s not the most dramatic option, but it would feel earned—and hopeful.
2. Carver Decides He Can’t Be Around Violet Anymore
Carver’s connection to Violet is deeply emotional—and deeply complicated. Despite their ups and downs, he clearly still cares for her. But that connection has also become a source of pain. Carver’s confessions to his AA sponsor—and the tension between him and Violet—suggest he’s not fully over her.
Could Carver choose to leave for a clean break? We’ve seen other Firehouse 51 members leave in search of peace—Sylvie Brett, Blake Gallo—and Carver might follow that same path. If he believes staying would only reopen old wounds, he might pack his bags and start over elsewhere. It’s a quieter exit, but one that respects his emotional growth.
3. Carver’s Temper Costs Him His Spot at Firehouse 51
Carver has always been a bit of a wildcard. From his first appearance in Season 11, he’s been known for his short fuse—whether defending his team or clashing with leadership. He’s been suspended before, and if the pressure of sobriety or heartbreak pushes him too far, another outburst could result in a permanent transfer.
This outcome would be a step backward for Carver, but not totally out of character. The show could frame it as the final straw—proof that, despite his efforts, he’s not the right fit for Firehouse 51 anymore. A transfer wouldn’t be fatal, but it would be final.
4. Carver Dies in the Line of Duty
This is the one we’re dreading most. Chicago Fire has never hesitated to shock viewers with tragic, on-the-job deaths—and Carver has already been used as a decoy in Season 12’s “Post Mortem,” when fans feared he might be the firefighter hurt in a blaze.
Still, this option would hit especially hard. Violet is still mourning Evan Hawkins, and to lose another man she cared about in similar fashion would be emotionally devastating—for her and the fans. That said, Carver dying a hero’s death is a possibility we can’t completely rule out. But let’s hope the writers go with something that leaves the door open, even just a crack.
Whatever the writers decide, one thing is clear: Sam Carver’s time on Chicago Fire will leave a mark. Whether he walks away or is carried out, fans won’t soon forget the fire he brought to Firehouse 51.
