Chicago Fire spoilers: Is Casey 51’s new Chief?

Chicago Fire has had a steadfast leader in the form of Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker). He’s been the perfect guy to anchor the colorful and sometimes unwieldy personalities that make up the Firehouse 51 team. As the saying goes, however, all good things must come to an end.

Boden’s tenure as chief has ended, and the character has been promoted to the prestigious title of Department Deputy District Chief. He will still be a part of the show and the lives of the other firefighters, but he will eventually have to appoint a successor to take over Firehouse 51.

Here’s a rundown of Boden’s best candidate, and whether the perceived frontrunner for the gig, Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer), is going to take it over.

Who is going to replace Boden as the new chief?

Casey is the highest-ranking 51 firefighter outside of Boden, and his experiences have allowed him to transform from impulsive hotshot to measured, thoughtful firefighter. He would make a great chief, given his close relationships with the rest of the team, and his emphasis on the well being of 51 as a whole.

Casey’s gung-ho heroism has already been a recent storyline. In the season 10 premiere, a video of Casey saving civilians went viral, and the PR from the story helped to boost the profile of the firehouse. Granted, it was fleeting, but the positive reputation that he was able to muster for the cameras may turn out to be an indicator of the leadership role he eventually takes on.

There are, of course, some complications. Griffin Darden (Cameron Scott Roberts) has reentered Casey’s life and asked for help in re-establishing his life. Casey has promised to take time off from work to visit Griffin and his little brother, which could in turn lead to some difficult decisions. Fans have theorized that the firefighter could walk away from his job, or be temporarily sidelined as he figures out whether to foster parent the Darden boys.

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Showrunner Derek Haas told TV Line that Boden’s departure will be rolled out slowly, so that the process of replacing him doesn’t feel rushed. “Boden cares deeply for the firefighters of Firehouse 51, but he also knows he can make major improvements to the CFD”, he reasoned. “He’ll balance the two.”

Haas’ comments, coupled with Casey’s pending subplots, leads us to believe that Casey won’t be assuming the mantle of 51 chief in the immediate future. It’s a job that seems poised to be his in the future, but the status quo looks as though it will be the same for most of season 10.

For the latest Chicago Fire season 10 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.