After he was limited to just four games in 2024, C.J. Mosley was seen as a strong cut candidate. The veteran linebacker was indeed released last week, making him a free agent for the second time in his career. 
Mosley joined the Jets on a $17MM-per-year pact in 2019, but the first year of that deal saw him play only a pair of games. The former first-rounder then opted out of following campaign, leading to questions about his future in New York. Mosley managed to produce three straight healthy seasons after that, however, and in 2022 he secured the fifth Pro Bowl nod of his career.
In spite of that, it came as no surprise when the Jets elected to move on with two years remaining on Mosley’s pact. The post-June 1 designation used in the move allows the team to spread out the outstanding cap charges on his contract and move forward with a linebacker group led by Jamien Sherwood (who re-signed on a three-year, $45MM pact). Mosley, meanwhile, is on the lookout for a new team, with ESPN’s Rich Cimini writing he does not plan to retire.
A herniated disc caused the 32-year-old’s missed time in 2024, and potential suitors will no doubt be cautious when considering an offer. Mosely could undergo a physical in the event he visits teams in person before agreeing to a deal, although Cimini notes the fact New York did not apply a failed physical designation as part of the release is part of a sign the Alabama product is fully healthy. From 2021-23, he recorded no fewer than 152 tackles each season. In any case, Mosley’s next pact will no doubt be much less lucrative than his Jets one.
The former first-rounder spent his first five seasons with the Ravens, collecting four second-team All-Pro nods along the way. Baltimore has Roquan Smith attached to the most lucrative linebacker contract in the league (averaging $20MM per year), but the team could be in the market for a starter to pair with him in 2025. A long list of teams currently have more cap space at this point in free agency, however, and it will be interesting to see how many of them show an interest in adding Mosley for next year.
Wild that the salary cap was only two thirds what it is now when Mosley got that deal and the top AAV for off ball linebackers is only $3 million higher.
Off the ball LBs don’t usually get sacks. They get tackles. Not as lucrative contract wise. Roquan Smith is an exception, he’s all over the field and fun to watch.
I’m aware of all that. I’m just saying it’s wild that the Mosley contract was so above and beyond the market that if the same contract were signed today, when the cap is 50% higher, it would still be a top five AAV contract for off ball linebackers.