CJ Mosley vision for the Jets

[Larz]

Sorry but costellos headline is trash lol

NY post article by Costello 

 

C.J. Mosley sits quietly contemplating for a few seconds when someone says it is hard to believe he is entering his fifth year with the Jets.

“It’s crazy,” Mosley said after a recent training camp practice.

 

Along with Quinnen Williams, Mosley is the longest-tenured player on offense or defense for the Jets. He signed a five-year, $85 million contract in March 2019, leaving the Ravens to come to New York and try to turn the Jets around.

It has been a wild ride ever since for Mosley, who missed almost all of his two first seasons with the Jets. The general manager who signed him was fired two months later. The coach who lobbied to bring him here only coached him for two games. He had to reinvent himself for a new coaching staff and somehow stay positive through losing … lots of losing.

“My mindset was coming here to the New York Jets, I’m coming here to win a championship,” Mosley told The Post. “By the grace of God, if that works out, just stamp the legacy on there.”

A Super Bowl ring would cement Mosley’s place among Jets legends, but he already has been a driving force behind the culture changing inside the team. He has dealt with plenty of adversity since joining the Jets, but with the progress made in 2022 and the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Mosley can see his vision for the Jets finally coming into focus.

 

I can say my mindset and my goal hasn’t changed,” Mosley said. “It might have gotten derailed, the timing might not have been great, but this moment, what people are seeing now, this is what I imagined. This is why I’m here.”

The Jets lured Mosley to New York with a contract that included a whopping $51 million guaranteed. The offer was too good for Mosley to turn down and he liked what he saw with a team that had good, young players in Jamal Adams and Sam Darnold and was also adding veteran running back Le’Veon Bell.

“We had some weapons,” Mosley said. “Things looked good and then it didn’t work out.”

That is an understatement. Mosley was having the game of his life in Week 1 against the Bills with a fumble recovery and an interception for a touchdown along with six tackles. But he felt a tweak in his groin during pass coverage and he ended up playing just one more game that season — in Week 6, making the injury worse and requiring surgery.

A year later, he opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. The team bottomed out at 2-14 without Mosley, and Adam Gase, the coach who pushed for the Jets to sign Mosley, was fired.

 

For me, it was an eye-opener,” Mosley said. “The two things you don’t want to happen when you sign a new contract — you don’t want to get hurt and you don’t want to deal with a new coaching staff. I had that in the first two years. It humbled me a lot and put a lot of things in perspective.”

Mosley was at the Jets’ training center the day new coach Robert Saleh arrived in 2021. Saleh mentioned to Mosley that linebackers in his defense had to be able to cover. Mosley weight about 245 pounds at the time and was known more as a run-stuffer. When defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich repeated the message to Mosley about coverage a little later, he got their drift.

I would say my lifestyle outside of football changed,” Mosley said. “I stopped going out as much. I kind of focused on more how I can better on the field. When you turn your attention to one thing, other things are not as important anymore. It really was what are you going to give up to do your job and try to be great?”

Mosley began studying Saleh’s former linebackers — notably Fred Warner in San Francisco and Bobby Wagner in Seattle. He won a skeptical coaching staff over and went on to win the team’s MVP award in 2021. Despite his personal success, the 4-13 season was a tough one for him.

“There was a lot of losing,” Mosley said. “I’ve always been on a team where there might be one or two players where you see they’ve checked out because we’re not making the playoffs. I saw some people flat-out quit. It really hurt me. I knew what I was coming back from. Even though we weren’t winning, it was tough to see that. You expect more from your brothers and teammates you’re on the battlefield with every day. Once the people that wanted to leave left and we made some moves, had a big draft in ’22, you saw it right away.”

The additions of Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall energized the team last year, but Mosley again saw the team miss the playoffs after its six-game losing streak to end the season.

This offseason, he watched like Jets fans as the Rodgers pursuit played out.

“For me, it was, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it,’ and when I saw it, I still didn’t believe it,” Mosley said.

He watched Rodgers’ appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” from his parents’ home in Alabama.

It was a cool experience,” Mosley said. “I’ve never watched anyone else say they wanted to come here. That was like a LeBron decision type deal.”

Mosley and Rodgers now compete each day on the practice field with Mosley acting as the quarterback of the defense and the two of them trying to outsmart each other.

“It’s upped everybody’s game,” Mosley said. “You can just feel how everybody picked up the pace from downstairs to upstairs, just practicing against him, going through walk-throughs against him, reading off his coverages, listening how he talks to the offense, it just builds confidence for everybody.”

With Rodgers now leading the offense, Mosley believes the Jets may now be able to realize his goal of winning a championship here after all the twists and turns since 2019.

“All of that crazy stuff led up to where we are right now. I’m very optimistic,” Mosley said. “I’ve always been that way even though it’s been tough.”

Mosley, 31, has five Pro Bowl selections, including last year, and been second-team All-Pro five times. He has made plenty of money and earned plenty of accolades.

Now, he is thinking about his legacy and how he can lead the current Jets to a Super Bowl and leave his mark on future Jets teams.

“Once I hang ’em up, I can say I did a great job if we get a ring out of it and once I’m done playing, these young guys can keep that going,” Mosley said. “They’re definitely on their way.”

[Bronx]

3 minutes ago, Larz said:

Along with Quinnen Williams, Mosley is the longest-tenured player on offense or defense for the Jets

Thank you McG, thank you.

 

[ElBarrioJets]

[Barry McCockinner]

never been a fan since he sat out covid season.

[Bleedin Green]

1 hour ago, Larz said:

C.J. Mosley sits quietly contemplating for a few seconds when someone says it is hard to believe he is entering his fifth year with the Jets.

“It’s crazy,” Mosley said after a recent training camp practice.

Apparently Mosley is just baffled as us by this idea that he was supposedly even on any football team in 2019 or 2020, was somehow actually paid for what he did in 2021 and 2022, and is inexplicably still employed right now.

The confusion is quite understandable.

[Jetsfan80]

14 minutes ago, Bleedin Green said:

Apparently Mosley is just baffled as us by this idea that he was supposedly even on any football team in 2019 or 2020, was somehow actually paid for what he did in 2021 and 2022, and is inexplicably still employed right now.

The confusion is quite understandable.

 

Mosley by the numbers:
 

* 35 games played over a 4-year period

* $51M banked in that span with a $21.5M cap # in 2023

* 206 solo tackles as a Jet, with just 7 of them being TFLs and most of the other 199 coming 7+ yards from the LOS.

* 113.5 opposing QB rating when targeted in 2021.  94.2 in 2022.

* 1 baffling All-Pro selection

* Seemingly countless # of fans aghast at the suggestion that he be cut and brought back cheaper

Sweet gig if you can get it. 

My “vision” for CJ Mosley is to have that abomination of a contract no longer exist as fast as possible.

I yield the rest of my time to @Sperm Edwards

[Bleedin Green]

22 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

* $51M banked in that span with a $21.5M cap # in 2023

* 206 solo tackles as a Jet, with just 7 of them being TFLs and most of the other 199 coming 7+ yards from the LOS.

You mean to tell me they're paying less than 250k per tackle?  Wow, what a steal!

[Jetsfan80]

1 minute ago, Bleedin Green said:

You mean to tell me they're paying less than 250k per tackle?  Wow, what a steal!

How dare you talk about finances rather than his leadery leadership and intangibles!!!!

[Dunnie]

4 hours ago, Jetsfan80 said:

 
Mosley by the numbers:
 
* 35 games played over a 4-year period
* $51M banked in that span with a $21.5M cap # in 2023
* 206 solo tackles as a Jet, with just 7 of them being TFLs and most of the other 199 coming 7+ yards from the LOS.
* 113.5 opposing QB rating when targeted in 2021.  94.2 in 2022.
* 1 baffling All-Pro selection
* Seemingly countless # of fans aghast at the suggestion that he be cut and brought back cheaper

Sweet gig if you can get it. 
My “vision” for CJ Mosley is to have that abomination of a contract no longer exist as fast as possible.
I yield the rest of my time to [mention=5645]Sperm Edwards[/mention]

No possible defense ...

I like CJ ... I want him to be better than he's been ... The ONLY explanation is that the D overall is not as good as we thought and runners are breaking the line, and opposing QBs are not getting hit enough.

Sadly ... While sometimes true ... These numbers don't lie

The dude does have elite leadership qualities.



Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk
 

Edited July 26, 2023 by Dunnie

[Sperm Edwards]

5 hours ago, Jetsfan80 said:

 

Mosley by the numbers:
 

* 35 games played over a 4-year period

* $51M banked in that span with a $21.5M cap # in 2023

* 206 solo tackles as a Jet, with just 7 of them being TFLs and most of the other 199 coming 7+ yards from the LOS.

* 113.5 opposing QB rating when targeted in 2021.  94.2 in 2022.

* 1 baffling All-Pro selection

* Seemingly countless # of fans aghast at the suggestion that he be cut and brought back cheaper

Sweet gig if you can get it. 

My “vision” for CJ Mosley is to have that abomination of a contract no longer exist as fast as possible.

I yield the rest of my time to @Sperm Edwards

Most overrated, overpaid defender in the NFL.

[Jetsfan80]

1 hour ago, Sperm Edwards said:

Most overrated, overpaid defender in the NFL.

This used to be Jamal Adams but now the title has been bestowed on Mosley.

Thanks Macc!

[32EBoozer]

Hopefully JD “VISION “ Involves an $8-$10 million contract restructure.

[MichaelScott]

Hard to believe because he was only on the field for 2 of them 

[OtherwiseHappyinLife]

2 hours ago, Jetsfan80 said:

This used to be Jamal Adams but now the title has been bestowed on Mosley.

Thanks Macc!

Wait, are you saying we might be able to trade him for 2 first round picks?  Get Carroll on the phone.  GET CARROLL ON THE PHONE!!!!!

[jamesr]

1 hour ago, MichaelScott said:

Hard to believe because he was only on the field for 2 of them 

I read he had caught Covid during the pandemic.

But only after it had gained 15 yards and a first down!   

[bicketybam]

2nd team all pro!!!!

[rangerous]

Much as Moseley contract is very high for his performance I believe this is the last year they would take a huge salary cap hit.  If they don’t need the cap then there’s no need to restructure. And it seems like Sherwood may be ready to take the spot.

[Sperm Edwards]

2 minutes ago, rangerous said:

Much as Moseley contract is very high for his performance I believe this is the last year they would take a huge salary cap hit.  If they don’t need the cap then there’s no need to restructure. And it seems like Sherwood may be ready to take the spot.

Restructuring would come with a pay cut, which is why Mosley has been resistant to cooperate.

If it's just shuffling cap space from this year to next year, without any pay cut, they can accomplish that with others (though there are fewer opportunities to do so than there were). Brown & Davis don't potentially clear as much without touching CJM, but some wiggle room is there, too. Like Mosley, Brown already has a ~$5MM accelerated dead-cap hit coming, but on paper it doesn't matter if there's another $5MM more dead cap added to Brown or to CJM or to Davis. $5MM is $5MM. 

Also if they restructure but end up not using it, no harm is done. e.g. if they clear $10MM more, but don't use it, then next year if the '24 cap ceiling is set at $250MM then for the Jets it'd be $260MM.

[jgb]

6 minutes ago, Sperm Edwards said:

Restructuring would come with a pay cut, which is why Mosley has been resistant to cooperate.

If it's just shuffling cap space from this year to next year, without any pay cut, they can accomplish that with others (though there are fewer opportunities to do so than there were). Brown & Davis don't potentially clear as much without touching CJM, but some wiggle room is there, too. Like Mosley, Brown already has a ~$5MM accelerated dead-cap hit coming, but on paper it doesn't matter if there's another $5MM more dead cap added to Brown or to CJM or to Davis. $5MM is $5MM. 

Also if they restructure but end up not using it, no harm is done. e.g. if they clear $10MM more, but don't use it, then next year if the '24 cap ceiling is set at $250MM then for the Jets it'd be $260MM.

Isn’t the solution here for both sides to benefit? Pay cut but the guaranteed amount goes up. Sure it’ll lock us into him for 2 more years but at a palatable number 

[Jethead]

Sour grapes.

It's his fault he took what the Jets offered? He should just give it back, because?

Covid was a generational anomaly. I don't hold anybody's personal choice against them.

His teammates willingly follow his leadership. 

If somebody outplays him and takes his job, fine but not sure who that's going to be.

[Jetsfan80]

3 hours ago, OtherwiseHappyinLife said:

Wait, are you saying we might be able to trade him for 2 first round picks?  Get Carroll on the phone.  GET CARROLL ON THE PHONE!!!!!

AND a 3rd!!

[Jetsfan80]

4 minutes ago, Jethead said:

Sour grapes.

It's his fault he took what the Jets offered? He should just give it back, because?

Covid was a generational anomaly. I don't hold anybody's personal choice against them.

His teammates willingly follow his leadership. 

If somebody outplays him and takes his job, fine but not sure who that's going to be.

I hold it against him that he sucks in coverage and doesn't get very many TFLs or Forced Fumbles either.  Since he's not a pass rusher he needs to be at least decent in those areas but he isn't.

Not his fault Macc opened the checkbook but it IS his fault everything that happened afterwards.  He's apparently an excellent teammate and leader and that's what seemingly got him his strange 2nd team All-Pro honor.  Beyond that I don't see why people gush about the guy.  

[batman10023]

14 hours ago, Barry McCockinner said:

never been a fan since he sat out covid season.

i read somewhere that he wasn't ready to come back anyway - either physically or mentally.  not sure if true

[batman10023]

13 hours ago, Bleedin Green said:

You mean to tell me they're paying less than 250k per tackle?  Wow, what a steal!

nuts if you think about it that way.

[peekskill68]

1 hour ago, Jethead said:

Sour grapes.

It's his fault he took what the Jets offered? He should just give it back, because?

Covid was a generational anomaly. I don't hold anybody's personal choice against them.

His teammates willingly follow his leadership. 

If somebody outplays him and takes his job, fine but not sure who that's going to be.

This  ^^^.  Not sure how someone takes his job if JD refuses to address drafting his replacement.  Two years running now and all JD has done is take some shots on Day 3 developmental guys and scour the bargain bin on cut down day...

[CanadaSteve]

1 hour ago, Jethead said:

Sour grapes.

It's his fault he took what the Jets offered? He should just give it back, because?

Covid was a generational anomaly. I don't hold anybody's personal choice against them.

His teammates willingly follow his leadership. 

If somebody outplays him and takes his job, fine but not sure who that's going to be.

Yup.  If people want to be pissy, be mad at the guy who signed him.  The guy who failed on roughly 80 percent of his draft picks and then had to spend ridiculous amounts of money to solve the problem.  He got injured; can't fault him for that.  He took a year off during a global pandemic; can't fault him for that.  He plays hard and is a good leader.  It is not his fault a GM was willing to give him almost QB money (for the time) for his position.  

[CanadaSteve]

17 minutes ago, peekskill68 said:

This  ^^^.  Not sure how someone takes his job if JD refuses to address drafting his replacement.  Two years running now and all JD has done is take some shots on Day 3 developmental guys and scour the bargain bin on cut down day...

Because JD is saddled with that contract.  Now, he should just bite the bullet and eat the contract rather than restructure it, but this is the problem when someone signs a player for an outrageous amount of money outside of the big three positions (QB, WR, Pass rusher). 

[Warfish]

1 hour ago, Jethead said:

Sour grapes.

It's his fault he took what the Jets offered? He should just give it back, because?

Covid was a generational anomaly. I don't hold anybody's personal choice against them.

His teammates willingly follow his leadership. 

If somebody outplays him and takes his job, fine but not sure who that's going to be.

Well said.

I like Mosely, and continue to think he, his leadership, and his play remain a central key to the overall performance of our Defense.

Plus, I enjoy how much butthurt he causes some folks here, lol.

Probably not worth the money he's paid, but if THAT is the criteria, there are reams of players I'd beat up for that sin before I get to Mosely.

[Warfish]

44 minutes ago, peekskill68 said:

This  ^^^.  Not sure how someone takes his job if JD refuses to address drafting his replacement.  Two years running now and all JD has done is take some shots on Day 3 developmental guys and scour the bargain bin on cut down day...

The Front Office and the players clearly see Mosely is a different light than Sperm or 80 do.

[peekskill68]

5 minutes ago, Warfish said:

The Front Office and the players clearly see Mosely is a different light than Sperm or 80 do.

Hey, maybe his Pro Bowl was deserved.  Who am I to judge?  What I don't get is trotting out a 31 year old player who clearly has lost a step vs. his peak Raven years and having no real transition plan.  It seems to me that JD puts a lot of eggs in the DL basket and hopes that no RB can break through to the second level or no QB can find the time to hit a simple screen or swing pass...

[Warfish]

31 minutes ago, peekskill68 said:

Hey, maybe his Pro Bowl was deserved.  Who am I to judge?  What I don't get is trotting out a 31 year old player who clearly has lost a step vs. his peak Raven years and having no real transition plan.  It seems to me that JD puts a lot of eggs in the DL basket and hopes that no RB can break through to the second level or no QB can find the time to hit a simple screen or swing pass...

Can't solve every problem at once.

And JD may not see him as a problem.  

I thought we'd go LB early this last draft, would have been fine with that, had a few guys I liked in the 2nd.

Clearly JD didn't think that was a priority, and the Rodgers trade limited our options.

I fully expect LB to be a priority in the draft in 2024.

[Sperm Edwards]

4 hours ago, jgb said:

Isn’t the solution here for both sides to benefit? Pay cut but the guaranteed amount goes up. Sure it’ll lock us into him for 2 more years but at a palatable number 

He won't take a pay cut. That's been the whole problem.

Also I don't honestly want him starting for 2 more seasons even if he was $2MM. 

[PavlovsDogs]

17 hours ago, Larz said:

He watched Rodgers’ appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” from his parents’ home in Alabama.

It was a cool experience,” Mosley said. “I’ve never watched anyone else say they wanted to come here. That was like a LeBron decision type deal.”

Glad I wasn't the only one who felt that way!

[Jetsfan80]

2 hours ago, Sperm Edwards said:

He won't take a pay cut. That's been the whole problem.

And he'll still have defenders here saying we shouldn't cut him.

Absurd.

[Bleedin Green]

MM gave out the horrible deal, but the current situation is on JD at this point.  He actually chose to make the contract worse last year and done nothing this year, which is inexplicable.  You only need to take a look at the contract structure to see it's clear as day it was backloaded, and without a single cent of guarantees remaining, so this current money was never intended to be seen unless excessively deserved, which it isn't.

I have never seen a single NFL GM so guilty of the sunk cost fallacy.  Even Maccagnan's stupid ass was worlds better at cutting losses than JD has been.  It's almost like he thinks if he refuses to admit failures, they somehow don't exist.

No other team in NFL who would pay CJ anywhere close to his current contract, and that needs to be addressed.  The main thing CJ has been successful at these past 4 years has been hustling, unfortunately only when off the field.  At this point, an hourly paid motivational speaker plus a street FA could give a comparable return for $16M less.