6 Ways Rick Grimes Could Leave The Walking Dead
5. He Sets Off On His Own Journey
Again, Lincoln's departure doesn't mean that Rick will be killed off. Another way we could see the former sheriff leave with his life intact is if he were to set off on his own journey.
It wouldn't be the first time that we've seen this happen. Carol left everyone behind in Season 6 because she needed some time away. Nick Clarke in Fear The Walking Dead did something similar, leaving behind his family to embark on his own adventure. Of course, both characters remained on their respective shows in some capacity, because the actors wanted to stay on.
Additionally, Morgan left his fellow survivors behind and moved on (he's now on Fear The Walking Dead), which was a decision he made due to the mental and moral problems he had been dealing with. It was absolutely the right choice for him and, as a result, he has been able to reclaim some of his sanity with the help of his new allies on FTWD. Rick has been dealing with similar issues as of late - especially when it comes to the rights and wrongs of this world - so a fresh start away from everyone else could be exactly what he needs to find himself again.
Rick has lost so much over the years, but the death of Carl could be what tips him over the edge. As a result, he may want to lave everyone and everything behind. Alexandria and the other settlements will be full of memories and things that could have been. He could have been happy there with Carl, but it wasn't meant to be. Moving on might be the only way for Rick to have a future.