You don’t often see athletes choose to call it a career while still in their prime, but that could wind up being exactly the case for Toronto Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman.

The 35-year-old is entering the final season of his five-year, $110 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, and doesn’t appear to be fully committed to playing beyond the 2026 season.

“I think it’s definitely a possibility,” Gausman told Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. “I have really loved my time here. Do I know what’s ahead of me? I don’t know. No idea. It’s something that I have definitely thought about in the offseason.”

Gausman did make clear that while he was thinking about his future throughout the offseason, he’s now fully turned his focus toward the 2026 season.

The two-time All-Star had a big role in the Jays’ success last season. He pitched 193 innings in 2025, putting up a 3.59 ERA along with 189 strikeouts. He was even better in the playoffs, compiling a 2.93 ERA through 30.2 innings.

Gausman figures to be a big part of a loaded Blue Jays rotation this coming season. Himself, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios are all set to return, while management also signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce earlier in the offseason.

The good news for Gausman is that the Jays figure to be a strong team once again in 2026. While there’s plenty of work to be done, getting back to the World Series is certainly within the realm of possibilities. 

Should they be able to get back and win it all, it could be a true storybook ending on what has been a great career to date for the Blue Jays ace.

Lead photo by

 Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images