The New York Jets aren’t slated to have much cap room this offseason, meaning they may have to make some rather difficult decisions on key players.
Take linebacker C.J. Mosley, for example.
Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department is urging the Jets to cut Mosley, as they would open up about $11 million in cap room by doing so. If they cut him after June 1, it will free up $17 million.
Bleacher Report adds that New York could also restructure Mosley’s contract, but with the caveat that the Jets would be paying his deal more into the future when he could already be retired or elsewhere.
It’s not that Mosley has been unproductive. This past season, he played in every game and racked up 152 tackles, a half of a sack, an interception a couple of forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and seven passes defended.
However, the league is beginning to move more toward edge rushers rather than inside linebackers, and while it doesn’t necessarily mean Mosley is obsolete, it does mean that New York is probably paying him a bit too much money at this stage.
The 31-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Alabama, was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 17th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
He spent the first five years of his career with the Ravens, making four trips to the Pro Bowl during that span. He racked up over 100 tackles four times in Baltimore, posting over 130 twice.
Mosley then proceeded to sign with the Jets in 2019. He played in just two games during his debut campaign in New York due to injury and then opted out of 2020 due to the pandemic. He has since played in all but one contest with Gang Green, even making the Pro Bowl last year.
The Jets went 7-10 this season, but they have high hopes for 2024 due to the return of Aaron Rodgers.
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