Will Thomas Gibson return to Criminal Minds this fall?

Fellow cast member Joe Mantegna believes he will.

He believes this in spite of the fact that Gibson is without a new deal for the show's upcoming seventh season, Hotch seemed to be (at least possibly) preparing an exit in May's season six finale, and only three weeks remain until production resumes.

Maybe Mantegna (left) knows something we don't, or he's an eternal optimist.

Mantegna told TV Line on Monday that he felt Gibson’s currently stalled contract talks would be hammered out in time for production on the seventh season.

“I certainly hope so,” he told Matt Webb Mitovich. The veteran actor then added, “I feel confident about it ... that they’ll work it out. It’ll all be what it’ll be.”

We'd have to agree, but maybe that's wishful thinking.

Despite these lean budgetary times, after the turmoil of the past year, CBS wouldn't be foolish enough to let another integral cast member walk, would it?

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.