Jets' C.J. Mosley confident in roster he helped make possible
C.J. Mosley created more than $12 million in cap space for Jets. Credit: Jim McIsaac
C.J. Mosley believes the Jets strengthened the roster and filled some important needs this offseason. It might not have been possible without Mosley’s selflessness and desire to help this franchise win.
The veteran linebacker and captain of the Jets’ defense had a nearly $21.5 million cap hit for this season. Mosley signed a new two-year deal for $17.25 million and created more than $12 million in space. That helped the Jets heading into free agency, where they signed or acquired Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, Mike Williams, John Simpson and Tyrod Taylor among others.
“The main mindset was I want to be here, I want to be a New York Jet,” Mosley said on a Zoom call Wednesday. "I want to be a part of this defense that we helped build together. We came a long way from 2019. When I came here, I wanted to help build a winning program and bring a Super Bowl and bring a championship, bring a division championship to our team.”
The Jets needed to free up money, but Mosley said he was never “nervous” that he would be gone. He had “a face-to-face, heart-to-heart” conversation with general manager Joe Douglas before free agency began and, with “no dramatics,” they reached a deal.
“Sacrifices come in many different ways,” Mosley said. “When you talk about sacrificing for the team and for your teammates, that was just one small gesture, but it goes a long way. It goes without saying that I don’t care about the money when I get on the football field. I just want to win and win with my teammates.”
Douglas praised Mosley for continuing to put the team before himself.
“For him to do what he did for the team, he’s a special person,” Douglas said in March. “He’s a special person, he’s a special player. A lot of what we’ve been able to do so far in the offseason is because of C.J. and I can’t thank him enough.”
The Jets’ main areas of need were the offensive line, backup quarterback and receiver room. They addressed all of that before the draft and then added to it last week. The Jets selected left tackle Olu Fashanu in the first round, receiver Malachi Corley in the third and quarterback Jordan Travis in the fifth.
The Jets also replaced Bryce Huff, who signed with the Eagles, with former Philadelphia edge rusher Haason Reddick.
If Aaron Rodgers, who is returning from a torn left Achilles tendon, can stay healthy the Jets should compete for a playoff spot and the AFC East title.
“I’m really excited about it,” Mosley said of the Jets’ pickups. “I feel like we’re doing all the right things, fitting in all the right pieces. The questions that have been raised about our team I feel like we answered them this offseason.”
Mosley said the “sky’s the limit” for the Jets, who have missed the playoffs for the last 13 seasons.
“We put our own limit on ourselves,” Mosley said. “If you want to dream big and have those aspirations then we have to train like it, eat like it, study like it every single day, not just when we get to the building or when we get to training camp.
“This dream, this vision started a long time ago for a lot of us. We’ve just been building up to this moment. Last year, it didn’t go the way we wanted to. We have another great opportunity to get on the field and do it again this year.”
AVT’s option and health
Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker said he feels “blessed” and “grateful” that the Jets picked up his fifth-year option.
“I love playing for this organization,” Vera-Tucker said.
He’s making good progress in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in Week 5. Vera-Tucker said he’s running, cutting and doing some O-line drills. He could be ready for Week 1.
“I’m feeling really good,” Vera-Tucker said. “Definitely on pace for a good start to the season. It’s going really well.”
Quincy aims higher
Linebacker Quincy Williams, a first-time All-Pro last year, wants to add first-time Pro Bowler and second-time All-Pro to his resume this season. “I need that All-Pro and Pro Bowl this year,” Williams said.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
