Will Joe Cruz get promoted in Chicago Fire season 11?

Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) is a Chicago Fire veteran. Unlike some of his peers, he’s been a part of the team since day one, and has undergone several different changes. In the last few years alone, he’s become a husband and a father to two boys. But is he ready for a promotion?

The absence of Severide (Taylor Kinney) has been notable on the show, even though it’s expected to be brief. There hasn’t been any word on whether the character will be back before the end of the season, or ever, so that could mean the 51 is down a lieutenant.

Did Cruz get a promotion on Chicago Fire?

We’ve seen lots of characters buckle under the weight of the lieutenant role in the past. Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) wanted nothing more than to be promoted, yet when the opportunity arose for her step up, she was on the road promoting the Girls on Fire program and purposely avoiding contact with her superiors.

She eventually came around, but it took the interim presence of Pelham (Brett Dalton) until she felt she was ready to run the 51 effectively. A similar thing seems to be happening with Cruz. His name was mentioned once Severide left, but the character has clearly been struggling to balance his work life and his home life.

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Keith Bamford (Chris McKenna) was brought in to serve as interim lieutenant, but Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) made it clear that he did not intend on keeping Bamford around for very long. Boden is someone who obviously prefers promoting from within, and given Cruz’s seniority, coupled with the bravery and skill he’s shown over the years, he seems like the clear choice.

All this depends on Severide, though. If the character comes back within a reasonable amount of time, then the 51 won’t have any need for three lieutenants. If Severide takes a while, though, or he chooses to pursue a position in the arson investigation world, then the 51 would need a person to step up and assume the mantle.

Not a done deal per se, but definitely someone for fans to keep an eye on.

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