Clayton Kershaw's return to the limelight might come sooner than Dodgers fans thought

The Los Angeles Dodgers' roster won't be the same without Clayton Kershaw, but after 18 years in the majors (two decades in LA's system overall) making up a first-ballot and maybe even unanimous Hall of Fame election, the guy deserves as much rest as he wants to get.

After the season, Kershaw revealed that the Dodgers had offered him an opportunity to join the front office in some capacity, but he turned it down to enjoy his retirement and spend some time with his family (the Kershaws just welcomed their fifth child).

However, he might reenter the spotlight sooner rather than later. Per Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, Kershaw is a "top studio target for NBC/Peacock's forthcoming Major League Baseball package" alongside fellow future Hall of Famer Joey Votto.

There's no word on Kershaw's openness to what would probably be a massive contract to get into broadcasting, but on the not-so-off-chance NBC is willing to drive truckloads of money down to Texas, he could be in a booth come this spring.

Clayton Kershaw reportedly being eyed for NBC's MLB broadcasts after Dodgers retirement

Where in the world fans will actually be able to watch baseball games has become a more and more pressing question over the last few years, as contracts have expired and rights have shifted, stations have declared bankruptcy, and so on. The majority of games in 2026 will be broadcast on southern California's trusty SportsNet LA, but some primetime offerings might take some streaming-platform-surfing.

ESPN opted out of their longstanding Sunday Night Baseball agreement during the 2025 season, and NBC quickly acquired the rights. They'll get a large, slightly convoluted slate of games in both the regular and postseason, but the headlining information is that 25 SNB games will air on NBC, NBCSN, and/or Peacock along with 18 Sunday Leadoff games and all Wild Card games.

Kershaw has never been the most effusive guy in the world, but he's offered up some fun hot mic and in-game interview moments (anyone else watch his mic'd up 2025 All-Star inning just for fun sometimes?), and there's no doubt he has a wealth of knowledge to bring to a potential color commentator role.

It'll be a nice treat for Dodgers fans if he does come to some kind of agreement with NBC, and hopefully he'll offer no shortage of memeable insight if he gets to cover his former squad.