Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley answers questions at Atlantic Health Jets...

Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley answers questions at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey, on June 9, 2022. Credit: Noah K. Murray

Five-time Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley retired on Thursday — his 33rd birthday — via an Instagram post that showed highlights of his 10-season career, the last five spent playing for the Jets.

"Today, it is time to wake up from my childhood dream and share it with the next generation," Mosley wrote. "I spent my whole life and career building my legacy. Now it's time to start a new chapter with new dreams. It won't be easy, but I'm here to tell you every sacrifice is worth it.

"When you wake up, what will your legacy look like?"

Mosley was a captain and leader during his tenure with the Jets, which came after five seasons playing for the Ravens. After opting out of the 2020 season that was impacted by COVID-19, Mosley started and played every game but one during the next three seasons, recorded a career-high 168 tackles in 2021, and was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2022.

Last season, though, he appeared in only four games with three starts due to toe and neck injuries, and he was released by the Jets on March 12.

Even after his departure from the team Mosley remained one of its leaders. Linebackers Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams spoke this spring about their relationships with Mosley as they try to replace him on the field and in the locker room.

“Right now it's the mindset of picking his brain on how to be more of a leader,” Williams said. “It's like, what are the things that you worked on to come into a team that you really didn't know? So how did you become and be a leader to those guys? That’s kind of the conversations we have now.”

Sherwood said he and Mosley have their hair braided by the same stylist.

“He doesn't live too far,” Sherwood said. “So whenever the hair lady comes into town, you know, we get our hair done.”

Sherwood added that his evolution from a young unheralded safety, through a torn Achilles as a rookie, to become a starting linebacker for the Jets who just signed a new three-year, $45 million contract this offseason, would not have been possible without Mosley’s guidance.

“From the day I got here he just poured into us, he let us know everything, and I miss having him in the room,” Sherwood said. “There is definitely a hole in the wall without him. But I check up on him just to make sure everything is good with him. He's my brother from another mother. I love him.”

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