General Hospital is once again preparing to send shockwaves through Port Charles, and this time the epicenter is Jason Morgan. With Steve Burton confirmed

to be stepping away from the canvas temporarily, speculation has erupted about how the series will explain Jason’s absence—and which of the people who love him most will be forced to face the devastating fallout.

Whispers are already sweeping through town. Is Jason gravely injured? Has he been taken? Could he be lying somewhere between life and death while those closest to him cling to hope?

The uncertainty alone is enough to rattle Port Charles, but for four key figures, the grim possibilities threaten to change everything.

Danny Morgan: A Son on the Brink

Danny has already endured the unthinkable. Losing Sam McCall left a wound that never truly closed, and Jason became the steady presence holding his son’s fragile world together. Jason may not be outwardly affectionate, but he shows up. He protects. He stays.

If rumors begin circulating that Jason has fallen into a coma—or worse, vanished without a trace—Danny is unlikely to sit quietly and wait for updates from anxious adults. He has inherited his father’s stubborn streak, and grief mixed with fear can be combustible.

Those around him may try to soften the blow with reassurances, but Danny has heard comforting promises before. They didn’t save his mother. If Jason is gone, even temporarily, the teenager could spiral into desperate action, pushing into dangerous territory in search of answers. The tragedy here isn’t just the possibility of losing a parent—it’s the risk of watching a boy lose the last piece of stability he has left.

Josslyn Jacks: Gratitude, Guilt and Grief

Josslyn presents herself as strong and independent, but Jason occupies a unique place in her life. He has been a silent guardian, a man who acted without hesitation when her life was on the line. Loyalty like that leaves a mark.

If doctors begin speaking in hushed tones or if news breaks that Jason has been taken, Josslyn’s composure could fracture. She understands the risks of the world he inhabits, yet understanding offers little comfort when someone you depend on disappears.

There is also the matter of trust. Jason has kept her secrets, never judging, never wavering. Should he suddenly be unable to protect her—or himself—Josslyn may find guilt creeping in, wondering whether she ever gave back even a fraction of what he gave her.

Carly Spencer: Losing Her Constant

Carly and Jason’s bond is the stuff of legend. Through marriages, betrayals, and mob wars, one truth has remained immutable: Jason is her safe place. He is the person she exhales around.

Take him away and Carly is unmoored.

In public, she will likely project strength, insisting they will find him or that he will pull through. Behind closed doors, however, the fear may be overwhelming. Without Jason absorbing the danger, Carly could feel exposed, vulnerable to enemies who know exactly how much she relies on him.

And Carly in problem-solving mode is formidable—but also impulsive. Should she suspect foul play, she might charge headfirst into conflict, making risky moves Jason would normally temper. Her desperation to save him could create new crises even as she tries to solve the original one.

Sonny Corinthos: A King Without His Right Hand

For Sonny, Jason is more than a friend. He is the ultimate lieutenant—the man who handles the unthinkable without hesitation and without betrayal. Remove that pillar and the entire organization trembles.

Rivals will sense opportunity. They always do.

Sonny might attempt to mask the loss, projecting confidence while scrambling to plug the operational and emotional hole Jason leaves behind. Yet pressure breeds mistakes. If Sonny lashes out too quickly or trusts the wrong ally, the consequences could be catastrophic.

At the same time, beneath the strategist lies a grieving friend who cannot imagine a future where Jason doesn’t walk back through the door.

What makes the situation particularly agonizing is the absence of certainty. A coma offers something tangible to fight. A kidnapping creates a mission. But ambiguity? That is torture. It stretches hope to its breaking point and forces everyone to confront how deeply their lives are intertwined with Jason’s.

If he returns—as he so often has—he may find a town already transformed by panic-driven decisions. Lines could be crossed. Relationships strained. Damage done in the name of love.

And if he doesn’t?

Port Charles may never be the same again.