C.J. Mosley is unquestioned leader of the Jets

INDIANAPOLIS — There may be questions about who the Jets starting quarterback will be going forward, but there’ no debate about who the leader of the team is.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley is unquestionably the person who Jets players on both sides of the football look up to, watch and listen to throughout the week and especially on game days.

"He’s like the calm in all the chaos," defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said.

Linebacker Jarrad Davis said Mosley’s leadership is "extremely vital. It’s the life blood, pretty much one of the main arteries of this team."

Mosley is a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker. But the Jets, who tried to win their second in a row Thursday night against the Colts, were unsure about how Mosley would return after essentially two seasons off from football.

The Jets signed Mosley to a five-year, $85 million contract in 2019. But he appeared in only two games because of injury and then opted out last year due to concerns over COVID-19.

The new coaching staff came in and rumors swirled that the Jets would be willing to trade Mosley in hopes of getting out of that contract. But the Jets are glad they didn’t.

"This dude, C.J. is unbelievable in every possible way you can imagine," coach Robert Saleh said. "He is an all-pro player, he’s an all-pro human. He’s a team-first guy and one of the more selfless individuals I’ve ever been around.

"When you’re a new staff coming, and you meet the high-priced guy that has been a pro-bowler, it’s like, ‘Well, God, this guy might be a jerk.’ This dude is one of the classiest human beings I’ve ever been around."

Mosley’s value was never more evident in Sunday’s win over Cincinnati. Yes, it was the Mike White game, which has opened up the possibility that he could still lead the Jets’ offense when prized rookie quarterback Zach Wilson returns from a knee injury.

In the previous game, the Jets allowed 54 points in New England. Mosley couldn’t play because of a hamstring injury. He returned against Cincinnati, played every snap on defense, which played a big part in the win.

"He keeps everybody level-headed," Rankins said. "He gets everybody understanding situational awareness. What down and distance, what to expect. He makes all the checks, gets guys lined up and then when you got a guy who can do that and then go make the play it’s special to have out there."

Mosley led the Jets with 10 tackles. He was part of an intense goal-line stand in the first half after White threw an interception that Cincinnati returned to the 1-yard line.

White said Mosley was the first one to greet him coming and the field, and said, "We’re going to get you that ball back."

Mosley lost 19 pounds coming into this season to be ready to play in Saleh’s 4-3 defense in which linebackers are in coverage more. Mosley has been flying around the field all season, while also being able to see things the coaches don’t sometimes.

In the Jets’ Week 4 win over Tennessee, Mosley checked out of a call – a no-no in Saleh’s system – and the Jets got a sack. That’s part of Mosley’s calm amid the chaos that Rankins described.

"I definitely try to stay poised when we’re in the game," Mosley said, "especially in the heat of the moment because, one, I got to talk to the whole defense.

"Never get too big for the moment. When the pressure picks up, when things get loud you look for the calmest person in the room because they’re trained to do their job. We’re trained to do our job. When those moments come you have to line up, do your job and go play."

Mosley wants to continue to lead the Jets beyond this season. He said he came to the Jets to help turn around the franchise and he feels they’re close.

"I wanted to be a piece in this organization that changed the culture of a losing culture," Mosley said. "I want to be one of the reasons that things changed."

Notes & quotes: Corey Davis was inactive for the second straight game because of a hip injury he sustained in practice last week. … Joe Flacco also was inactive for the second straight time. Josh Johnson was the backup QB again. …. The Jets placed defensive end Bryce Huff on injured reserve and activated Hamsah Nasirildeen.