Herrmann’s choice to get demoted in Chicago Fire instead of becoming Chief doesn’t have to be permanent, but promoting him in the future wouldn’t necessarily be the triumph it seems. In fact, there’s a strong likelihood that reversing his decision at this point would lead to tragic and potentially irreversible consequences for another vital member of the Chicago Fire cast.

The biggest shock of the Chicago Fire season 13 finale wasn’t just that Herrmann chose not to take the Captain’s exam, but that he accepted a demotion so his buddy Mouch could become 51’s new Engine Lieutenant. Looking at his history, there’s one way Herrmann could change his mind in Chicago Fire season 14. Unfortunately, it comes at a cost.

Herrmann’s Chicago Fire Season 13 Finale Decision Makes Sense After The 2025 One Chicago Crossover

Leadership Doesn’t Play To Herrmann’s Primary Instincts

When the 51 first arrives on the scene at the start of the 2025 One Chicago crossover, his role is to shadow and assist Chief Pascal in overseeing the rescue and clean-up operation from a makeshift HQ at the site of the explosion. However, Christopher Herrmann’s soon established as the type not to stay comfortable in that role for long.

As the crisis intensifies and the lives of the 51 and numerous civilians are put at risk, Herrmann leaves Pascal to assist Severide in finding the source of the explosion. Herrmann’s declaration that he needs to be “in the trenches” is the sole utterance of the crossover’s title, so it can be assumed this is intended as a big moment.

The 2025 One Chicago Crossover Establishes Why Herrmann Can’t Stay Out Of The Trenches

Pascal’s Supervision Keeps Him Focused On The Action

Apart from a few interactions regarding Trudy’s near-fatal shooting and general updates on the CPD’s investigation, Herrmann’s interactions in the crossover are generally limited to those with the Chicago Fire crew. Between that and his choice to rush into action rather than remain in a safe location with Pascal, Herrmann’s identity as a firefighter above all else is demonstrably clear.

This means that Herrmann doesn’t get to participate in the 2025 One Chicago crossover’s best character pairings, but it does make it less surprising that he later passes on becoming Chief. What’s arguably more notable, however, is his reasoning. Herrmann tells Pascal they don’t need two people supervising when the Battalion Chief is already present, making his own oversight redundant.

In other words, when there’s somebody else willing to supervise, Herrmann’s more at home focusing directly on what needs to be done. The finale justifies his demotion because Christopher Herrmann isn’t a man who feels comfortable doing his job from behind a desk, but his exchange with Pascal does suggest a specific circumstance in which he might consider becoming Chief.

Herrmann’s Future Promotion In Chicago Fire Would Likely Mean Bad News For Pascal

The Show Would Need To Give Him A Reason To Leave

Since it’s already been established that Herrmann has no interest in leadership while Pascal’s still manning the helm, the only reason he would change his mind about becoming Chief is if Pascal were no longer occupying the position. He says himself throughout the season that he has reservations about even applying to potentially overtake Pascal’s job, even with Boden’s blessing.

In fact, this was a concern in the writers’ room throughout much of the season as well. As Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman told ScreenRant prior to the season finale, it’s almost impossible to promote Hermann to Battalion Chief without cutting Pascal from the show. Detailing the considerations that had to be taken into account for Herrmann’s storyline, Newman explained:

“Somebody is going to have to go, and that’s the mystery that must be solved. From the beginning of this season, the pressure has been on Herrmann because Boden handed him the crown at the end of last season and said, ‘You’re the next leader here. You just have to take these tests to get there.’ Everybody’s been pushing for it, and Mouch needs it to happen for him to get where he wants. And Pascal comes in and he’s testing him and is pushing Herrmann all the time. And the one person who hasn’t stopped and said, ‘Should I be doing this?’ is Herrmann. So that’s really where we’re at heading into the finale, is him not knowing what to do and wanting to support his best friend. And at the same time, they’ve come to be a family with Pascal as well. It’s not so easy to just say, ‘Oh yeah. We’ll kick that guy to the curb.’ Pascal’s got his problems going on, but Herrmann does too.”

Herrmann accepting a demotion was a way to resolve these issues to the benefit of each character involved. Mouch gets his promotion while Pascal keeps his current role and Herrmann focuses on the part of the job he cares about most, even if it means not advancing in his career. It’s hard to imagine his promotion working out as well.

If Pascal were going to leave of his own volition, it would have made the most sense for him to retire after Monica died. But Pascal staying at the 51 after his wife’s death suggests it would take an even bigger tragedy for him to leave. Herrmann filling Pascal’s shoes may even require Pascal to be killed off or fired.

Can Chicago Fire Promote Herrmann Without Endangering Pascal’s Life Or Career?

His Window For Safe Departure Might Have Been Closed

It’s already confirmed that Herrmann’s demotion will stick in Chicago Fire season 14, so it can be reasonably assumed he won’t be changing his mind in the near future. However, this also means that there’s little chance of Pascal deciding to leave at the beginning of the season, when Monica’s death is still fresh enough to potentially inspire his retirement.

After keeping his position through his wife’s death and his presumably stressful period as a murder suspect, it would feel tonally off for Pascal to suddenly now retire peacefully with no provocation. That doesn’t mean he can’t still eventually retire of his own accord, but it makes the most sense at this point to give Monica’s storyline some distance first.

Essentially, the window on Hermann becoming Chief hasn’t been shut for good. At the very least, however, it’s not easy for Chicago Fire to justify getting rid of Pascal at this particular point in time without something happening to him. Fans holding out hope to see Chief Herrmann one day might just have to remain patient for the time being.