Chicago Fire has had lots of promotions in the last year. Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) left Firehouse 51 to become Deputy Fire Commissioner. Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) just passed his captain exam, while Mouch (Christian Stolte) aced his lieutenant exam.
Careers are changing for the better for these characters, so it makes sense that fans would look to who will be the next to eye a promotion. Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) are already decorated firefighters, and others are still years away from taking such a massive career jump. Joe Cruz is one of the rare characters who qualifies, but the actor who plays him told fans not to hold their breath for a promotion anytime soon.
Joe Cruz wants to remain at 51 due to family
Joe Minoso told Screen Rant that Cruz is not looking to advance his career due to the fact that he recently became a father. He wants stability above all else, and is content working alongside his pal Severide on Squad 3. "I think, especially after becoming a father and now really having a taste for leadership," he explained. "He's been the acting lieutenant on Squad 3 for a couple of years now."
Minoso has several variables to weigh. He wants to ensure his safety so that he can see his sons grow up, and he also wants to maintain his position within Firehouse 51. Part of the desire to remain at 51 is the friendships he's developed over the course of the show.
If he were to be promoted to lieutenant, he would run the risk of having to go to another firehouse, and he doesn't want to do that right now. Especially since he's in a good spot with Kelly Severide in particular.
Cruz also wants to maintain his Severide friendship
"That's always in the back of his mind, especially as a father who has to take care of two kids who will hopefully end up going to college one day," Minoso asserted. "Money is always a thing he's thinking about, but I think, right now, there was some great stuff between Severide and Cruz early on in the season that I think brought them closer together."
There's also the elephant in the room. Cruz participated in several criminal acts in the Fire episode "A Favor." He stole Firehouse 51 equipment and helped an ex con attempt a robbery. He also got shot in the arm. If he's caught, his career could effectively be over. Hopefully he's able to figure a way out. We understand his reticence to go for a promotion on the heels of this dicey situation, though.