Chicago Fire may have just introduced Severide’s exit storyline (and you didn’t even notice it)

From the moment news first broke that Taylor Kinney would be taking a leave of absence from Chicago Fire, fans have been anxiously awaiting more information about his upcoming exit. And understandably so.

While we know Kinney will be stepping away at some point this season, it’s yet to be confirmed when his last episode before his exit will air, if he’ll be back before the season ends, and how exactly his character will be written off-screen to address Kinney’s absence.

Given it’s been about a month since word of Kinney’s upcoming leave of absence first broke, it’s a bit surprising we haven’t yet been given any update from NBC regarding the details of his exit. However, in a surprise twist, the Feb. 15 episode of Chicago Fire may have just laid the groundwork for Severide’s looming departure, yet no one seems to be talking about it.

Chicago Fire hints at possible exit storyline for Severide

In episode 13, Firehouse 51 helps Herrmann put on a school fundraiser which entails each member of 51 helping to create a basket that will be auctioned off during the charity event to raise funds for the school.

After shift, the team comes together at Molly’s to work on putting their baskets together which leads to a really sweet exchange between Severide in Brett. While working on their baskets, the pair catch up and reminisce about Casey which is when Severide confesses it’s been longer than he’d like to admit since he last caught up with Casey.

The moment might have seemed like an innocent plotline injected as a way to update audiences on Casey and keep him in active conversations, but it also could very well be the catalyst that helps to set up Severide’s exit from the show.

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We know that Severide is going to have to be written out of the picture to accommodate Kinney’s leave of absence, so what better way to do so than by having Severide leave town for a bit to go visit Casey in Oregon to catch up with his old friend? His trip could easily begin as a short visit that is extended for one reason or another, and the writers could then give us quick updates via one-sided conversations between Severide and Kidd — similar to those we saw when Kidd was absent from a few episodes last season.

This could allow the writers to honor the friendship between Severide and Casey via the impromptu visit, and would also be far better than having Severide laid up in bed recovering off-screen from an injury or leaving town for some random reason.

Of course, it’s also possible the conversation was simply a way to update us on Casey, but its timing could be a major hint of the groundwork being laid for Severide’s upcoming exit.

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