The New York Jets lost what is easily their biggest name to date to COVID-19. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Rich Cimini, linebacker C.J. Mosley will not play in 2020. Mosley joins several big-name players that don’t feel the risk of COVID is worth the reward of playing the season. Cimini cites family health concerns as a deciding factor in Mosley’s decision.
#Jets LB CJ Mosley is opting out of the 2020 season, source confirms (as @RichCimini said). A big blow to their defense.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2020
BREAKING: Jets LB CJ Mosley has decided to opt out for 2020 due to family health concerns, sources tell ESPN. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 1, 2020
New York Jets Linebacker C.J. Mosley Opts Out of 2020
Unfortunately for the New York Jets, the organization is all-too-familiar to life without C.J. Mosley. Last year, the linebacker signed a five-year, $85 million contract in free agency. Despite the lofty expectations associated with that type of deal, injuries got in the way and Mosley only appeared in two games. During his limited time on the field, the former Baltimore Raven recorded one pick-six, two passes defended, one fumble recovery, and nine combined tackles.
Mosley, of course, isn’t the only big-name defender that won’t be on the Jets next season. The team recently dealt superstar safety Jamal Adams for two first-round picks and an additional third. While this move should make them better in the long term, it’s not going to help their 2020 aspirations.
Before signing with the Jets, Mosley spent five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. A first-round pick in 2014, the Alabama product made an immediate impact in the front seven. Starting in all 16 games, Mosley recorded two interceptions, eight passes defended, one forced fumble, eight tackles-for-loss, 12 quarterback hits, and 133 total tackles. This impressive season earned him the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Mosley proved that he wasn’t a one-year fluke in his ensuing time with Baltimore. He made it to the Pro Bowl in three of the ensuing four seasons, starting 61 games while recording seven interceptions, 27 passes defended, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 20 quarterback hits, 35 tackles-for-loss, and 299 total tackles.
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