CJ Mosley, Ravens and Jets legend announcing retirement at 33.
Alright, let’s get in-depth about CJ Mosley’s ride through the NFL. Dude just called it quits at 33, and honestly, the guy’s career? Not exactly a straight line, think more like a rollercoaster with a couple of loops and a lot of bruises, but lots of high moments.
Baltimore Ravens (2014–2018): Where It All Got Loud!
Draft Night, 2014: Baltimore snagged him at 17th overall, and the Alabama LB proved to be a steal off the bat. CJ Mosley immediately started wrecking stuff, 133 tackles, a couple sacks, and picked off two passes. All-Rookie, Pro Bowl, the whole shebang. People were already whispering Ray Lewis’s name (which is kinda wild, but hey, it wasn’t deserved).
Making a Name: For five years, CJ Mosley was basically the brains and brawn of that Baltimore defense. Except for 2016 (stupid hamstring), he was always on the field, cracking 100 tackles like it was nothing. Four Pro Bowls, All-Pro twice, he was really that dude.
Impact? Massive: You needed a run stopped or a pass broken up? CJ Mosley’s your guy. 2017, for example, 77 tackles, eight pass breakups, two picks. Never flashy, just ruthless and reliable. That’s the CJ Mosley way.
New York Jets (2019–2024): Big Money, Bigger Heart!
The Deal: Jets paid CJ Mosley huge, five years, $85 million. First game, he grabs a pick-six and you know everyone’s screaming “SAVIOR!” Then, boom, groin blows out, season torched. Something the Jets go through a lot, to be honest.
2020: Nope: Pandemic hits, CJ Mosley opts out. Can’t blame him.
Comeback Seasons, 2021–2023: Shed some pounds for Saleh’s defense, became the “quarterback” on D. He played every game those three years, putting up monster tackle numbers like 150+ each year. Pro Bowl, All-Pro, oh, he wasn’t back, he leveled up.
Locker Room Guy: Stats aside, CJ Mosley was the grownup in the room. Team MVP, Dennis Byrd award, even took a pay cut in 2024 to help the squad out. That’s leadership, not only bringing great play.
The Captain: Coaches and teammates? They called him the “heartbeat.” No fake hype, just respect.
Hits, Hurts, and Hanging Up the Cleats!
2024: Injuries Bite Hard: He messes up his toe in Week 2, then a neck disc goes sideways in October. Four games, then done for the year.
March 2025: Out: Jets release him partly due to the injuries, partly to save $4 million. It’s a cold business.
Retirement: He hits 33, posts the classic Instagram goodbye. Left behind 1,083 tackles, 12 sacks, 12 picks, 10 forced fumbles. That’s a heck of a stat sheet for a linebacker.
Career Stats!
Games: 133 (132 starts)
Tackles: 1,083
Sacks: 12
INTs 12
Pro Bowls: 5
The Legacy Bit!
CJ Mosley? He was a beast, tough, smart, always showing up, even when his body was screaming otherwise. Baltimore got the prototype linebacker, once again. The Jets got a leader who didn’t just talk but actually changed the vibe in that locker room. Guys like Quincy Williams swear CJ Mosley made them better. That’s not just numbers; that’s culture.
Super Bowl ring? Nah, didn’t happen. But honestly, that doesn’t dent his rep. He’s the guy you want in the middle, every snap, every season. The sort of dude who’ll get remembered not for highlight reels, but for just being the backbone of whatever team he was on. Total pro, absolute grinder, and a blueprint for what a linebacker’s supposed to look like in the modern NFL. Respect.
