Five-time Pro Bowler linebacker veteran CJ Mosley is likely to become a free agent this March. According to multiple reports, the veteran will be going on the IR which may end his tenure with the New York Jets after spending the last five seasons with them. Originally selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, Mosley made a name for himself in the league after becoming a ferocious pass rusher for the Baltimore Ravens, notching five second-team All-Pro nods. However, after playing out his fifth year with the Ravens, they didn’t bring him back so this led Mosley to sign with the Jets signing him to a five-year deal.
The Jets have been dealing with the burden of Mosley’s contract after missing the majority of the 2019 season that year. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the veteran could become a cap casualty this offseason so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they release him considering his production and aging. Mosley is only a reliable pass rusher as long he stays healthy after notching 160 tackles nearly every year with the Jets so he’s still an elite defensive piece. He took a pay cut this past offseason but since the Jets could be on the verge of rebuilding after Aaron Rodgers, it makes sense to let Mosley walk to a new team.
Mosley may not land a long-term contract since he still has a lot to prove so he will likely land a one-year deal instead. Here are some possible next teams for him.
Five-Time Pro Bowler Veteran CJ Mosley Set To Become A Free Agent
Possible Next Teams
Baltimore Ravens
A reunion with the Baltimore Ravens shouldn’t be out of the question for Mosley. He was playing his best football with a phenomenal defense and one thing the Ravens are lacking is experience. They’ve depended on David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh to step up the plate after Jadeveon Clowney left for the Carolina Panthers. It may not make up for the atrocious defense that the Ravens still need to fix but it should give them immediate help in the pass defense when quarterbacks are attempting to stretch those quick passes.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs made two notable acquisitions before the NFL Trade deadline, signing DeAndre Hopkins and Josh Uche to contracts. However, the team is still dealing with inconsistency issues in the passing game, Uche has become quiet in the pass rush. Uche will be a free agent in March so if he doesn’t do anything explosive to persuade the Chiefs to extend him, they could sign Mosley. The veteran doesn’t need to be a perfect fixture but provides some relief for Nick Bolton to continue pounding the incoming running backs through the middle.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is playing his best football despite having several inconsistent wideouts but Jim Harbaugh’s vision is helping him navigate those issues. However, as Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are set to become free agents, it could be realistically hard to retain them on long-term contracts. This may force the Chargers to sign a veteran like Mosley while looking for relief in the draft. They may have the resources to sign Mack but letting go of a bruised Bosa shouldn’t affect the longevity of this defense.
New Orleans Saints
Meanwhile, the Saints may be a team that might be rebuilding after the 2024 season. Chase Young will become a free agent in March so they’ll need to find a replacement on his side to fill. However, they have a solid linebacker depth with the likes of Willie Gay, Peter Werner and Demario Davis. They may bring in Mosley to assist Davis in case he has aspirations to retire.
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