The New York Jets had plenty of money to spend this offseason and the shopping spree continued with the addition of linebacker C.J. Mosley.
Niner Noise
With a lot of salary cap room at their disposal, the New York Jets figured to be one of the NFL’s busiest teams this offseason. It’s safe to say that general manager Mike Maccagnan and the organization haven’t disappointed so far when it comes to adding proven talent.
After trading for guard Kelechi Osemele, signing wide receivers Jamison Crowder and Jay Bellamy, the Green and White snared one of the more sought-after defenders in this year’s class by adding four-time Pro Bowler C.J. Mosley to the mix.
He totaled at least 100 tackles in four of his five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and a year ago led the club with 105 stops. The five-year pro has nine career interceptions and 35 passes defensed, to go along with 8.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
It has been quite the start for the latest new era for the Jets, now under the command of head coach Adam Gase.
Contract Details
Via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the four-time Pro Bowler will signed a five-year, $85 million deal with an impressive $51 million guaranteed.
National Reaction
Re: C.J. Mosley's deal with Jets
— Chris Trapasso 🏈 (@ChrisTrapasso) March 12, 2019
NYJ def had the $ to spend, but this looks like a contract that blows the doors off the LB position financially.
Mosley's figures (previous high):
Total $ - $85M ($61.7M, Kuechly)
APY - $17M ($12.3M, Kuechly)
Total GTD - $51M ($34.3M, Kuechly)
The #Ravens have lost plenty of young defensive players in free agency over the years, but never a four-time Pro Bowl selection still in his mid-20s. Astronomical money, but still a tough loss.
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) March 12, 2019
To put the C.J. Mosley numbers in perspective, Luke Kuechly’s contract with the #Panthers had stood for over 3 years as the bar for ILBs at $12.36M APY and $34.3M guaranteed. Mosley is getting $17M and $51M gtd from the #Jets per @RapSheet. Massive.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2019
C.J. Mosley is a good player but no inside linebacker is worth $17 million a year in today's NFL. The Jets did a "We have the cap space, so let's spend it" deal.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) March 12, 2019
Jets are having a huge off-season, to get both Barr and Mosley is great work.
— Moose™ (@MarcMalusis) March 12, 2019
While the New York offense has taken its share of the blame for the team’s issues recent years and understandably so, the Jets’ defense deserves its share of responsibility as well. In 2017, the club ranked 25th in the league in total yards allowed per game and 24th in rushing defense. This past season, it was déjà vu all over again as the Green and White finished with the identical ranking in total defense and was subpar against both the run (26th) and pass (24th).
Mosley brings an attitude to a unit sorely in need of one. He’s a rangy defender who should be a solid fit in coordinator Gregg Williams’ unit. It’s a lot of money but there’s also been a lot of years between playoff appearances for the Jets, who haven’t reached the playoffs since 2010.
Since finishing 10-6 in 2015, the Jets are a combined 14-34 these past three seasons and have lost at least 11 games in each of those campaigns. Maccagnan and the club are doing their best to ensure the bleeding ends now.