Turns out this Chicago PD actor could have played Captain America in the MCU

The men and women of Chicago PD’s Intelligence Unit are real-life superheroes, so it seems only fitting to learn that one member of the cast actually went out for the role of one of the biggest Marvel superheroes to grace the screen in the MCU. 

For 12 seasons, Patrick John Flueger has played office Adam Ruzek on the show and won audiences over with the role, but had one audition from his past panned out we could have known him for an entirely different iconic character. You see, it turns out that Flueger auditioned for what would become one of the biggest characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Captain America. 

That’s right, just a few short years before booking Chicago PD, Flueger went out for the role of Steve Rogers and screen-tested for the title role in Captain America: The First Avenger back in 2011. 

Of course, the role, ultimately went to Chris Evans and Flueger candidly spoke about how perfect Evans was for the role in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter in which he laughed off the idea of saying he was a serious contender for the role. 

“(Laughs.) Well, first of all, let’s be honest with each other: Chris Evans is Captain America. He was Captain America before we even tested for the role. He just crushed that role; so, I don’t even know why I was in there.”

While Flueger laughed off not getting the role, we have to admit we could totally have seen him suiting up as Captain America… though we’d say all worked out in the end as if he had booked the role that would have meant we’d never have gotten to see him bring Ruzek to life as a part of Chicago PD. 

His natural charisma and intensity bring an undeniable energy to the screen, making Ruzek feel like a vital part of the Intelligence Unit. Flueger doesn't just play Ruzek—he is Ruzek, and his performance has been instrumental in making the character a fan favorite. And let’s not ignore his chemistry with the cast, particularly with Marina Squerciati’s Kim Burgess, a chemistry which had led to one of One Chicago’s most beloved couples. 

So while Flueger might not have joined the MCU, we’re pretty happy he ended up in the One Chicago Universe and hope he sticks around for many more seasons to come!