Spending most of his career in the NFL as a teammate of either Lamar Jackson or Aaron Rodgers is something to brag about. However, being a 5x Pro-Bowler in his own right, this linebacker has decided to retire from the league while still maintaining a high level of play.
After playing for the Baltimore Ravens between 2014 and 2018, C.J. Mosley garnered a reputation as a top-tier LB in the NFL. In his span as a Raven, Mosley was selected to the Pro-Bowl on four occasions, including his rookie year. Now, after six seasons with the New York Jets, Mosley has called it a career.
While his tenure in Baltimore will be fondly remembered, his career in New York is not precisely one that followed the same individual success. While still going to the Pro-Bowl in 2022, Mosley had injuries and opted out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19.
Mosley was the leader of the Jets defense
Even if his Jets days got cut short by two season-ending injuries and a worldwide pandemic, Mosley was seen as a captain. When available, still delivered a high level of play and football IQ.
C.J. Mosley #57 of the New York Jets reacts to a play during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 16, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Jets defeated the Packers 27-10.
Mosley was key for Robert Salehâs defense in New York, which was always regarded as a top unit in the NFL. This despite the Jets having the longest playoff drought in American sports.
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Out of his six seasons in the Big Apple, Mosley played three of them fully. It was during a three-season span between 2021-2023. In each of those three years, he surpassed the 150 combined tackles mark. Mosley even got a couple of interceptions to his name.
The all-elusive Super Bowl is his only debt
Being drafted by the Ravens just after they won a Super Bowl, then playing with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks should imply you had a shot at winning a ring. Unfortunately, bad timing would have Mosley leaving the NFL without ever even getting close to a Lombardy trophy.
The Ravens won the Super Bowl on February 3, 2013, but he was drafted in 2014. He then saw how Joe Flaccoâs prime deluded in a stacked AFC. His last year in the Ravens was with Lamar Jackson, but as a rookie, Jackson had still lots of aspects to develop.
Then he went to the Jets. His first year, he suffered a groin injury that sidelined him. Still it was Adam Gaseâs Jets that went nowhere. Then Covid hit. Salehâs spell as HC was great for Mosley individually. However, the offense was really below average, nothing that Mosley could do about it.
With Rodgers, while Mosley had a great 2023 season, A-Rod suffered an Achilles heel tear and missed the whole season. Roles reversed in 2024, as Rodgers played, but Mosley could only start three games. His dreams of a Super Bowl didnât materialize. Still, he retires as a certified baller and one of the best linebackers of the last decade.
