Clayton Kershaw Still Undecided on Retirement, Dodgers’ Icon Leaves Door Open for Possible Return Beyond 2025 MLB Season

When Clayton Kershaw took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, fans already knew they were watching a legend. A generational talent, a fierce competitor, and a quiet but commanding clubhouse leader, Kershaw’s legacy in Dodger blue is already cemented in the history books. And yet, as the 2025 MLB season progresses, a single question continues to linger over the future Hall of Famer’s career—will this be his last?

Kershaw, now 37 years old and in his 18th season with the Dodgers, has made it clear that he’s still unsure about what comes next. Despite battling through injuries in recent seasons, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has managed to remain an effective pitcher—perhaps not the dominant force he once was, but a crucial part of the Dodgers’ rotation nonetheless. And while fans across the league brace for a possible farewell tour, Kershaw himself has not committed to anything beyond this season.

“I really don’t know,” Kershaw said when asked about his future. “I’ve said this before, but I’m just trying to take it day by day. I think if I start thinking too far ahead, I’m not doing myself or the team any favors.”

For Kershaw, the 2025 campaign represents something of a full-circle moment. After undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason, many wondered whether he’d even return to pitch this year. But in true Kershaw fashion, he defied expectations and worked his way back into shape, making his season debut in late June to a raucous ovation at Dodger Stadium. The moment was emblematic of what Kershaw has meant to the franchise—grit, resilience, and excellence, wrapped in humility.

His return was not just symbolic; it was impactful. While his velocity isn’t what it used to be, Kershaw continues to masterfully navigate lineups with his signature curveball and pinpoint control. Through his first handful of starts, he’s posted a solid ERA and remains an invaluable resource for the Dodgers’ younger pitchers, many of whom grew up idolizing him.

“To have a guy like that in the clubhouse, it’s something you can’t put a price on,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “He’s a future Hall of Famer, no doubt, but more than that, he’s the heart of this team. Whether he’s pitching every fifth day or just talking to guys in between starts, he sets the tone.”

Kershaw’s potential farewell season has, understandably, drawn comparisons to the final years of other greats. Think of Derek Jeter’s farewell tour with the Yankees, or Albert Pujols’ storybook final season. But Kershaw, never one for grand gestures or personal spotlight, isn’t interested in crafting a narrative. He’s not waving goodbye just yet. He’s focused on helping the Dodgers win now—and that’s it.

“I’m not trying to make this about me,” Kershaw added. “I’ve always believed the team comes first. If I’m out there, it’s because I think I can help us win. If that ever changes, then maybe it’ll be time. But right now, I’m still having fun, still competing.”

That love of competition is what has always driven Kershaw. From the moment he made his debut as a 20-year-old in 2008, through his Cy Young dominance in the early 2010s, to his long-awaited World Series triumph in 2020, Kershaw has always been laser-focused on winning. He’s the type of player who studies hitters relentlessly, pushes through pain when others would rest, and refuses to cut corners. That mindset has helped him pile up over 2,900 career strikeouts, three Cy Youngs, a National League MVP, and a career ERA under 3.00.

Now, as he enters what could be the final chapter, that competitive fire hasn’t dimmed. If anything, it’s what makes the decision so difficult.

“You don’t want to walk away from something you still love,” Kershaw said. “But at the same time, I also want to be fair to the team and to myself. I don’t want to hang around just to hang around.”

That balance—between pride and practicality—is one that every aging athlete must eventually confront. For Kershaw, who has already given so much to the game, the calculus is even more personal. There’s also a family factor at play. He and his wife Ellen have four young children, and Kershaw has always emphasized the importance of being present at home. In past offseasons, he’s even admitted that those family discussions weigh heavily in his decision-making.

“Family is everything,” Kershaw said in spring training. “My kids are growing up fast, and I don’t want to miss that. But they also love coming to the ballpark and being part of this world. So, it’s a constant conversation.”

That “constant conversation” will likely continue as the 2025 season unfolds. And if the Dodgers go on another deep playoff run—a very real possibility given the team’s roster depth—those emotions may come to the forefront. Whether it’s his final time walking off the mound or simply another chapter in a career that defies expectations, Kershaw isn’t ready to put a label on it.

“I’ll know when I know,” he said. “But right now, I’m trying to enjoy every moment.”

The fans are certainly enjoying every moment he’s still in uniform. In ballparks across the country, there’s a palpable respect for what Kershaw has meant not just to the Dodgers, but to the game itself. Opposing fans stand and cheer when he exits a game. Young players tip their caps in admiration. For a sport that has seen its share of polarizing stars, Kershaw has always commanded universal respect.

He’s a unicorn—a superstar with humility, a warrior who never boasts. And if this is indeed his swan song, it will go down as one of the most dignified and consistent careers in MLB history. But make no mistake: there’s no farewell tour banner. No press conference. No final game circled on the calendar.

Just Clayton Kershaw, still throwing that wicked curveball, still giving his all, still undecided.

As the 2025 season winds on, the Dodgers will take every pitch he offers. And if Kershaw decides to come back for one more run in 2026, fans will welcome him with open arms. But if this is the end, then it will be on his terms—quietly, gracefully, and with the same poise that has defined every inning of his remarkable career.

Until that decision comes, though, baseball fans everywhere should savor each start, each moment, each glimpse of greatness that Clayton Kershaw continues to deliver. Because whether he retires in October or pitches into next summer, his legacy is already carved into the game’s most sacred lore.

One way or another, Cooperstown awaits. But for now, the story of Clayton Kershaw continues—unwritten, uncertain, and utterly captivating.