Honestly, if you’d asked fans back in Season 11 what they thought of Sam Carver, the answers wouldn't have been pretty. He was the "arrogant guy" from Stella Kidd’s past. He was the dude with the chip on his shoulder and a mysterious scar that he wouldn't stop lying about.
Fast forward to 2026, and things look a lot different.
Sam Carver, played with a sort of weary, rugged charm by Jake Lockett, has become the emotional center of some of Chicago Fire’s most intense recent arcs. But with rumors swirling about his future at Firehouse 51—and some pretty concrete news about Season 14—everyone is asking the same thing: What is actually going on with Carver, and is he really leaving us for Denver?
The Truth About the Scars (It's Darker Than You Think)
For a long time, Carver was just the guy who butted heads with Kidd. They had history at the academy, and it wasn't the "we were best friends" kind of history. She thought he was a privileged hothead; he thought she was... well, let's just say they didn't click.
But the layers started peeling back in a big way during Season 11.
You remember the episode "Something for the Pain"? After surviving a massive explosion alongside Kidd, Carver finally spilled the beans about the literal and figurative scars he carries. It wasn't a firefighting accident. It wasn't a cool war story.
Basically, when he was 15, his older brother—who sounds like a total nightmare—pushed him into a bonfire during a Fourth of July party.
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The worst part? His brother told everyone it was an accident and that he’d "saved" Sam. Nobody believed Sam’s version of the story. That kind of betrayal, coming from your own blood, is exactly why Carver walks around with those massive emotional walls. It explains the "closed fist" personality he brought to Truck 81. He doesn't expect people to have his back because, for most of his life, they didn't.
The Violet Mikami Situation: Why It's So Complicated
If you're a "Viover" (Carver + Violet) shipper, Season 13 was basically a rollercoaster that only went down before a sudden, terrifying climb at the end.
After Evan Hawkins died, Violet was—understandably—a wreck. She wasn't ready to give her heart to another first responder. Carver, meanwhile, was falling hard. When he finally admitted he loved her during a fight in the Season 12 finale, she couldn't give him what he needed.
So, what did he do? He did what Carver does: he bolted.
He took a furlough, went back to Texas, and showed up in the Season 13 premiere with a new girlfriend named Tori. It was a classic "rebound" move, but Tori was toxic. She was a bad influence, she was possessive, and she basically acted as a wedge to keep Carver from dealing with his actual feelings for Violet.
The Breaking Point
Things got messy. Carver started spiraling, his drinking became an issue, and he was clearly "off" at work. It took a lot of intervention—including some tough love from Kidd—to get him to see that he was drowning.
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Eventually, he chose to enter treatment.
The Season 13 finale finally gave us the moment we’d been waiting for: a mutual confession of love and a kiss. But in true One Chicago fashion, it came with a massive catch. Carver had already put in for a transfer to the Denver Fire Department.
Is Jake Lockett Leaving Chicago Fire?
Here is where we have to get real about the behind-the-scenes stuff.
There have been multiple reports—and some pretty heavy foreshadowing in the show—that Jake Lockett is exiting Chicago Fire as a series regular in Season 14. He isn't the only one; Daniel Kyri (who plays Ritter) is also rumored to be moving on.
Why? Usually, it comes down to the "budget cuts" we've seen hitting the One Chicago franchise lately. They’re rotating casts more frequently to keep production costs down.
Will Carver actually go to Denver?
In the Season 13 finale, Carver seemed to change his mind about leaving after reading a letter Violet wrote him while he was in treatment. They ended on a high note, but that’s exactly what makes fans nervous.
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Chicago Fire loves a tragic exit. Remember Casey moving to Oregon? Or Brett moving to Portland? If Carver stays in Chicago but isn't a series regular, he might just "exist" off-screen, or—worst case scenario—his move to Denver happens anyway because he realizes he needs a fresh start for his sobriety.
Honestly, it would be a gut-punch for Violet to finally open her heart just to have the guy move halfway across the country.
What Most People Get Wrong About Carver
A lot of casual viewers still see Carver as a "replacement" for characters like Casey or Severide (back when Taylor Kinney took his leaves of absence). But that’s not fair to the character.
- He isn't a "mini-Severide": While he has the "lone wolf" vibe, Carver is way more vulnerable than Severide ever was. His trauma is more raw and less "heroic."
- His rivalry with Kidd wasn't romantic: Early on, people thought they were going to have an affair. Jake Lockett himself has said that was more about "unresolved history" than actual romantic love. He respects her as a lieutenant now, and that’s a much better arc.
- The "arrogance" is a shield: It took three seasons to realize that Carver's cockiness is just a way to prevent people from getting close enough to hurt him.
Actionable Takeaways for the Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the Sam Carver saga as we head into the next season, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the Season 13 Mid-Season Return: Specifically Episode 9, "A Favor." It’s where you see the "old Carver" start to come back after the Tori drama. It’s essential for understanding his headspace.
- Keep an Eye on Casting News: Since we're in early 2026, the official Season 14 premiere cast list will be the only way to know if Lockett is gone for good or just dropping to "recurring" status.
- Don't ignore the "Ritter" connection: Since both Carver and Ritter are rumored to be leaving, look for a shared storyline. Sometimes the show bundles exits together (like a big transfer or a specialized task force).
- Re-watch the "Bonfire" Monologue: If you want to understand why he acts the way he does with Violet, go back to Season 11. It’s the skeleton key for his entire personality.
Carver’s journey from a "nuisance" to a beloved, deeply flawed hero has been one of the best slow-burns the show has ever done. Whether he stays in the Windy City or heads for the mountains of Colorado, he’s left a permanent mark on Firehouse 51.