The most shocking and potentially tragic resolution to Sam Carver’s (Jake Lockett) Season 13 struggles, especially concerning his sobriety and his relationship with Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith), would be for him to quit firefighting altogether and leave Chicago, thus ending his romance with Violet.

Here’s why this would be such a shocking development:

• Abandoning His Calling: Carver is a firefighter through and through. For him to walk away from the job entirely, after his dedication and struggles to maintain it, would be a profound and surprising twist. It would mean his battle with sobriety and his past demons were so overwhelming that they forced him out of the profession he’s chosen.
• A “Worst Case Scenario” for “CarVio”: Fans have been rooting for Carver and Violet. While a long-distance relationship or a transfer to another Chicago house would be challenging, outright quitting firefighting and leaving Chicago would be the most definitive and heartbreaking end for their budding romance. It would deny them any chance of a future together.
• The Ultimate Price of Sobriety: This scenario suggests that Carver’s sobriety comes at an agonizing cost: his career and his love. It would portray the incredibly difficult reality of addiction and recovery, where sometimes drastic measures are needed, even if they shatter other aspects of one’s life.
• Violet’s Renewed Heartbreak: Violet has already suffered immense loss with Chief Hawkins’ death. To finally allow herself to love again and then have Carver leave firefighting and Chicago entirely would be a devastating blow, forcing her to confront another profound heartbreak.
• Jake Lockett’s Status: Jake Lockett is confirmed not to be a series regular in Season 14 due to budget cuts. While this opens the door to various exit theories, a complete departure from the CFD and Chicago would provide a clean, albeit painful, send-off for the character and explain his reduced presence.

While other theories about Carver’s future (like transferring to a different Chicago firehouse or attempting long-distance) are also in play, the idea of him completely giving up firefighting and leaving Violet behind is the most dramatic and final possibility, ensuring a truly “shocking” start to “Chicago Fire” Season 14 for their storyline.