'The Walking Dead' Season 9 Air Date, Spoilers: How Will Upcoming Installment Make Rick Grimes Stay for Good?

This year's San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC) may have been heartbreaking for fans looking forward to news about “The Walking Dead” season 9.

During AMC's “The Walking Dead” panel, Andrew Lincoln announced that he will eventually depart from his role as Rick Grimes. Lincoln mentioned that his decision to leave the show is due to his desire to focus on his family. Lincoln expressed his love for the show and told fans who are worrying about the departure of the main protagonist that “no one is bigger than the story.”

While “The Walking Dead” season 9's SDCC trailer still features Lincoln as Rick Grimes, fans are now speculating how the British actor will be exiting the show. Certain fans have speculated on whether Grimes will meet his fate as a potential walker, or if he will succumb to the infighting that is being hinted at in season 9's trailer. Some even suggest that Grimes could potentially become season 9's villain to give him a proper send-off. But an even more daring theory aims to keep Rick Grimes around after season 9. Reddit user u/SqueakyDeke proposes the potential for Michonne to keep Grimes as a walker pet.

The theory about turning Rick Grimes into a potential villain has yet to be disproved considering that “The Walking Dead” season 9's trailer does feature what seems to be a potential conflict between Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Rick Grimes. Even with the introduction of Samantha Morton as Alpha – who is supposed to be the upcoming season's new villain – having Dixon and Grimes involved in a dramatic standoff that would leave Grimes unable to live on can be good for the show's continuing story.

Fans of the post-apocalyptic zombie drama can look forward to “The Walking Dead” Season 9 returning with its premiere episode on Oct. 7.