Jets LB C.J. Mosley’s return is off to a scorching start
C.J. Mosley is finally giving the Jets what they paid for when they signed the linebacker to a massive five-year, $85 million contract in 2019.
Although the Jets are just 1-3 through the first month of the season, New York’s defense remains one of the brightest spots on the team. Mosley’s play has been at the center of that.
The veteran linebacker tallied his third consecutive double-digit tackle game in New York’s win over the Titans – the first time he’s ever accomplished the feat in his career. Mosley added his first sack as a Jet in a game that saw New York record seven total. His 38 combined tackles lead the team by 14 and place him eighth in the NFL prior to Monday night’s match between the Raiders and the Chargers.
Mosley has been especially stout against preventing extra yardage this season. He had seven tackles that held the ball carrier to four yards or less without giving up a first down against the Titans, according to Jets X-Factor’s Michael Nania. That tied fellow Jets linebacker Quincy Williams for second-most among the position in Week 4. Mosley has 20-such tackles through four games this season, which is tied for second with Eric Kendricks of the Vikings and behind Bobby Wagner of the Seahawks, per Nania.
This is the same player the Jets thought they added to their defense two years ago and the one they missed over the past two seasons. Mosley only played in two games in 2019 after injuring his groin in Week 1. He opted out of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Jets defense sorely missed his experience and skill, but the unit now appears to be rejuvenated with a healthy – and leaner – Mosley. New York is third in third-down conversion percentage allowed, tied for fourth in sacks, tied for the fewest passing touchdowns per game, tied for the 12th-fewest passing yards per game, and tied for the 12th-fewest rushing yards per attempt.
Those numbers can’t all be attributed to Mosley, but he’s played a massive role in rallying the defense under Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
The next step for the team is to stack wins. Though the defense looks like it could be a top-10 unit, New York needs to consistently play at this high of a level, something Mosley is cognizant of after the Jets’ narrow win in Week 4.
“We can’t let off, we can’t be happy because of one win,” Mosley said after the game. “We have to lock down even more. We gotta keep going and have the same mentality we had this week going into next week.”
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