Criminal Minds
Despite being the most seasoned member of the squad , it ’s curious why David Rossi ( Joe Mantegna ) did n’t become the Behavioral Analysis Unit ( BAU ) chief after Aaron Hotchner ( Thomas Gibson ) leftCriminal Minds . Throughout its 15 - year run , the FBI ’s BAU go through several personnel reshuffles , but it only change its leader a few time . The latest modification was when long - fourth dimension BAU Chief Hotch opted to leave the forcefulness to become a full - prison term dad .
While Rossi was a part of the pioneer BAU team , he was n’t enclose until afterJason Gideon ’s ( Mandy Patinkin ) exit inCriminal Minds . He initially take other retreat before the show start and pore on being an author alternatively . When word nonplus out about his onetime FBI cell needing some help , he returned in a volunteering capacity . finally , however , Rossi accommodate mighty back in and became one of the most important column of BAU . Given his experience as a profiler , Rossi seemed like the ideal prospect to replace Hotch when he go on a leave of absence and eventually decided to focus on raising his Logos .
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That was n’t the typeface , however . Instead , Hotch choose to reach out to Emily Prentiss ( Paget Brewster ) , who had been already off of the squad for several years , to take over this speckle as the BAU Chief even though Rossi was an gentle surrogate . While it is likely a lack of faith in Rossi , Hotch really did him a huge favour by not burdening him with lead the rest of theclose - crumple BAU squad inCriminal Minds . Having been an FBI profiler for years , Rossi expressed no interest in being the BAU chief . He was more than happy being part of the team . After all , he did n’t really need the money and was only require simply because he be intimate the work . Being the BAU chief not only called for his expertise as a profiler , but also his ability to deal with paperwork and bureaucratism , and at his age , Rossi was not interested in doing any of that .
Rossi Becoming BAU Chief Would’ve Been Easier (& Better) Than Bringing Back Prentiss
Suffice to say , Hotch choosing Rossi to be the next BAU Chief was easier rather of bringing in Prentiss . BeforeThomas Gibson ’s suddenCriminal Mindsseason 12 exit , Rossi had already been part of this young curing of profilers for almost a decade . He has had a work human relationship with all the rest Social Security Administration and had see Hotch do his workplace over the years which would have helped him take over the squad seamlessly . Compare that to doing all the paperwork to work back Prentiss to the BAU and it ’s clean that Hotch could have saved himself all the difficulty if he pass on the position to Rossi . Behind the view , it would have also been easier since Mantegna was already inCriminal Minds . Doing so , however , would have contradicted Rossi ’s original understanding for follow back to the FBI , which could have ruin his character .
Overall , it was for the better that Rossi did n’t exchange Hotch as the BAU chief . After Gibson was open fire from the show , it needed to bring back a familiar face . Brewster ’s Prentiss had been a fan favorite for long time , so it made sense for her to spearhead the BAU untilCriminal Mindswrapped up . With her take over the squad , Criminal Mindswas able to give Rossi his own personal arc which ended with him re - tie his third ex - wife , finally giving him the felicitous love biography he was longing for .
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