When NBC announced that Joe Minoso would leave “Chicago Fire” during Season 15, there were immediate concerns about Joe Cruz’s fate. The end of Season 14 left the lives of Firehouse 51 on the line, as many found themselves trapped in a fiery blaze.
However, then came the additional details. Minoso would be in a few episodes to wrap up Cruz’s storyline, and that hinted that he wouldn’t die in the blaze after all. Now, fans are concerned again, as One Chicago Center spotted an Instagram Story that hinted at something bad for the loyal Squad 3 team member.
‘Fresh Off the Burn Stage’ on ‘Chicago Fire’
NBCThe photo came off cinematographer Nenad Simic’s Instagram Stories. It was him and Minoso, with the caption “fresh off the burn stage.” It immediately sparked concerns, as if Minoso is off the “burn stage,” then it means that something serious happened to Cruz while in the middle of the fire. Could this mean a character death?
With the fact that Minoso is going to be around for a couple of episodes, it would mean that he isn’t going to die immediately. In fact, the image included some fake blood on Minoso’s mouth and head, and there were no signs of any burn makeup. This doesn’t mean a lot, though, as the actor is still in Cruz’s turnout gear, and it would hint that this is just leading to the fallout of the fire from the end of “Chicago Fire” Season 14.
The rest of the story could play out during the second hour of the season. It’s possible that Cruz gets out alive but that he ends up suffering from his injuries. Earlier in the summer, Miranda Rae Mayo shared that anything could happen and even hinted at something other than death — the injuries sustained that can lead to the end of a firefighter’s career. This would allow for Minosos to be in a couple of episodes as he realizes that he can no longer be a firefighter.
Why Is Joe Minoso Leaving ‘Chicago Fire’?
MGMThere are still questions about Minoso stepping away from the series, and it remains to be viewed as a “creative” decision. This could either mean that NBC’s budget cuts mean that another main character has to leave to help save money, or that the writers feel like this is the best story to tell. It doesn’t appear to be a decision by Minoso or due to any behind-the-scenes issues.
Back in June 2024, Andrea Newman, who has stepped down as showrunner for the upcoming season, said that this type of turnover was a natural part of the business. It helps to change up the dynamic on the set, creating more intriguing storylines. She told People that “[In] storytelling and in terms of real life, 12 years is a long time and things need to change, just dynamic-wise. You want new characters and you want new dynamics.”
Minoso is not the only actor leaving the series. Dermot Mulroney is also stepping away from the series after two seasons playing Chief Dom Pascal. This certainly opens the door for Severide to finally work his way up the ranks to become Battalion Chief, as Pascal wanted him to. Fans will get to find out exactly how the two characters exit the series when “Chicago Fire” returns on Oct. 7, 2026, on NBC.
