Jay Halstead Opens Up About His Chicago PD Exit

After 10 seasons, Chicago PD delivered a heartbreaking episode that saw Detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) leave the Intelligence Unit. Though many fans were heartbroken by this decision, Soffer had his reasons and now that season ten has concluded he is opening up about why he decided to depart as well as whether there might be room for return in future seasons.

Chicago PD’s final episode, Reckoning, ended with a massive twist that will have lasting ramifications for the remainder of this season. Halstead took part in an Army mission in Bolivia against an organized crime cartel; an assignment which put his life and that of Det. Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) at risk and ultimately resulted in Voight dismissing Halstead for taking it so personally.

While Halstead attempts to convince his boss of his worthiness for the position, it becomes apparent that he’s unhappy. Additionally, his involvement in an incident leads him into a bitter dispute with Det. Hailey Upton but she eventually forgives him when the truth becomes known.

Halstead was tragically stabbed during a callout. This event caused great shock for him, yet no details are known regarding what will become of him in terms of physical wellbeing; hopefully there is hope that the wound might not kill him instantly – giving fans hope of an eventual comeback for this longtime favorite character.

Halstead made a mistake in an investigation involving an Army vet when he chose not to turn him in as ordered. This cost him both his career and relationship with Hailey; so much so, that it forced him out of the Intelligence Unit altogether.

Chicago PD left us with many unanswered questions in its season finale, such as Halstead and Hailey’s relationship. After being put through so much throughout this season, their marriage may finally have reached breaking point; Hailey nearly confronted Jay for his strange behavior as well as keeping their Bolivia job offer secret from her in Outrage.

But the door remains open for their return, especially given other deceased and beloved characters’ reappearance on One Chicago. We have already seen Jesse Spencer and Monica Raymund reprise their roles from Chicago Fire; Yaya DaCosta currently features on Chicago Med as one of its main cast. So who do you think will return as either a regular cast member or guest star in One Chicago next? Let us know your predictions in the comments section!