Linebacker CJ Mosley, who joined the Jets on a blockbuster five‑year, $85 million deal back in 2019, officially retired from the NFL today, his 33rd birthday, via social media. Mosley’s time in New York was defined by leadership, resilience, and battling injuries. Although he dazzled in his 2019 debut (with a pick‑six and six tackles in Week 1), injuries quickly piled up, starting with a core muscle injury that prematurely ended that season after one spectacular half of football. He then opted out of the entire 2020 season due to COVID‑19.
He returned under coach Robert Saleh in 2021, slimmed down for the defense, and was named team MVP. In 2022, he earned second‑team All‑Pro honors and made another Pro Bowl.
But injuries caught up again, 2019’s toe issue and a debilitating herniated disc in his neck limited him to just four games in 2024. The Jets released him on March 12, 2025.
Today, CJ Mosley shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute, saying, “Once upon a time… it is time to start a new chapter with new dreams,” as he bids farewell to football.
According to Rick Ritter of WJZ, Mosley was exploring a return to his original home, the Baltimore Ravens, hoping to chase a championship, but couldn’t clear a physical due to his neck injury.
Why this matters: Mosley signed that big contract almost six years ago to be the Jets defensive anchor and culture changer. He delivered when healthy, earning MVP honors in 2021, mentoring future starters like Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood, and serving as the “quarterback of the defense.”
Though championships never came, Mosley’s legacy lives on — and he’ll be remembered as a leader who gave it everything, even during the darkest injury struggles.
Looking Ahead: With Mosley off the roster, see the full current Jets roster and defensive depth chart at NY Jets Roster page. In the JetNation forums, fans are discussing his impact, leadership, and how the defense will move on without C.J. Mosley.
