As Chicago Fire Season 13 heats up, the show is revisiting a significant part of its past that could bring fan-favorite Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) back into the fold.

With the second half of the season promising high-stakes drama and emotional twists, one storyline in particular could create the perfect opportunity for Casey’s return—this time to help his old friend,

Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso), who finds himself in a perilous situation.

Cruz’s Struggles and a Dark Past Revisited

Season 13 has taken Cruz’s character down a darker, more troubled path, harkening back to his choices in the show’s early days. In Season 1, Cruz made a harrowing decision that still haunts him: he left Flaco, a gang leader who was controlling his brother, to perish in a fire. Though Cruz managed to put that dark chapter behind him, the past has come back to haunt him. Flaco’s cousin, Junior, has returned and is blackmailing Cruz, threatening to expose his secret unless Cruz complies with his demands. Desperate to protect himself, Cruz was forced into a dangerous situation where he was coerced into stealing money from criminals. What should have been a simple plan turned disastrous, leading to a deadly shootout that resulted in Junior’s death and Cruz’s own injuries.

Despite surviving, Cruz is far from out of danger. The guilt from the entire ordeal is weighing heavily on him, and he is unable to share his burden with anyone at Firehouse 51. This isolation has left Cruz in a vulnerable state, and the emotional toll is taking a serious toll on his well-being. This is where someone with a deep understanding of Cruz’s past—someone like Matt Casey—could step in and offer crucial support.

Why Matt Casey’s Return Makes Perfect Sense

Matt Casey’s departure from Chicago Fire in Season 10, when he moved to Oregon to become the legal guardian of Andrew Darden’s children, left a noticeable gap at Firehouse 51. Though Casey has made brief returns to the show, such as in Season 12 to marry Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), he has not yet made a full-time comeback. With Cruz struggling deeply, however, the time could be right for Casey to return, even if just for a visit or a phone call.

Throughout the series, Casey has been a mentor and confidant to Cruz. Not only did Casey support Cruz through his secret about Flaco, but he also offered advice and guidance when Cruz needed it most. Now, with Casey far away in Oregon, Cruz lacks someone who understands him as deeply as Casey does. His return could provide Cruz with the counsel and comfort he so desperately needs during this difficult time.

In a recent interview, Joe Minoso, who plays Cruz, spoke about Casey’s role in Cruz’s life, emphasizing how Casey was the only person Cruz trusted with his darkest secret. Minoso hinted that Cruz’s struggles have grown so large that they may be impossible to hide, particularly from his sharp-eyed colleague Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), who is known for being perceptive and inquisitive.

Casey’s Return Could Strengthen Cruz’s Storyline

The return of Matt Casey would not feel out of place; instead, it would add depth to Cruz’s storyline and further highlight the strong bond that exists within Firehouse 51. Casey’s support could help Cruz confront his guilt and find a path to redemption, while also connecting the events of Season 1 to the present. Even if Casey doesn’t come back, Minoso teased that Severide could eventually step in to help Cruz. However, due to Cruz’s established relationship with Casey, it would be a more natural progression for him to turn to his old mentor for guidance.

What’s Next for Cruz and Firehouse 51?

As Season 13 unfolds, Cruz’s storyline is shaping up to be one of the most compelling and emotionally charged arcs in Chicago Fire history. Whether it’s Casey returning to provide support or Severide stepping up to assist Cruz, viewers can expect powerful moments and heartfelt developments as the show moves forward. Whatever happens, Cruz’s journey will undoubtedly remain one of the season’s central emotional storylines.