The New York Jets lost another big defensive weapon on Saturday when C.J. Mosley elected to opt out for the 2020 season. The linebacker cited “family health concerns” just one week after the team dealt strong safety Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks.
Mosley would have been returning from a groin injury suffered in 2019. It was sustained during his debut for the Jets, a game in which he logged a pick-six and recovered a fumble but was unable to finish the contest. He sat out until Week 7 and attempted a return, resulting in re-aggravation of the injury before eventually going under the knife in December.
As recently as May, Mosley indicated that he “wouldn’t say it’s 100 percent” when speaking of his surgically-repaired groin but remained fully confident that he would be prepared for training camp.
In late June, Jets DC Gregg Williams mentioned how C.J. Mosley attended every meeting last season during his injury, how he prepared each week as if he were playing. Rare dedication. He was looking forward to getting back in ‘20. This had to be an excruciating decision. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 1, 2020
After four Pro Bowls and five seasons (including four with 100-plus tackles) with the Baltimore Ravens, Mosley was lured away by the Jets. Gang Green made him the highest-paid linebacker (at the time) with a five-year, $85 million deal and have already paid him in excess of $25 million of that contract. The return on that investment at the close of the coming season will have been two games out of a possible 32.
His contract will now be “frozen” for one season, meaning Mosley is under contract with the Jets through 2024. He will receive the $150,000 stipend for 2020, which is given to all players who opt out voluntarily.
You can keep tabs on all of the latest opt-outs for every team on Prime Time Sports Talk’s 2020 NFL Opt-Out Tracker.
