Jets sign C.J. Mosley to new two-year deal to create more cap space, source confirms
C.J. Mosley of the Jets walks off the field after a game against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 30, 2022. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets have created more salary cap space by extending the contract of one of their most important players.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley agreed to a new deal that will give general manager Joe Douglas more money and flexibility as he works to build the roster.
Mosley, one of the Jets’ captains and their leading tackler the past three seasons, was scheduled to earn $17 million non-guaranteed with a $21.476 million cap hit in the final year of his contract. The Jets had to lessen that, and they did.
Mosley is signing a two-year deal worth $17.25 million, a league source said. His new deal is for $13.25 million guaranteed, including $9 million this season. This will give the Jets at least another $8 million to spend in free agency.
The Jets could use that on a wide receiver or an offensive lineman. They’re in the market for a left tackle to help protect Aaron Rodgers and a playmaker for him to throw to who can take some attention away from Garrett Wilson.
One available receiver is someone the Jets know very well. Corey Davis, who walked away from football during training camp last year, is applying for reinstatement to the NFL.
The Jets will release Davis from the reserve/retired list and could work out a deal to bring him back. He caught 66 passes for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns in two seasons with them. When Davis left last season, Robert Saleh said the door is always open if he wants to play again.
Douglas has been focused on the receiver market. Mike Williams, Tyler Boyd, Odell Beckham Jr. and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are among the unsigned free agents. Douglas also could try to acquire a receiver in a trade.
Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins has requested a trade. Rodgers wants to reunite with Davante Adams, but the Raiders haven’t shown a willingness to move him.
San Francisco is interesting. The 49ers are over the cap, Deebo Samuel counts for more than $26 million and Brandon Aiyuk is at $14.1 million. There have been rumors about the 49ers listening to trade offers.
If Douglas needs to free up more money to make a splash signing, he could do so by restructuring John Franklin-Myers’ contract. He counts for $16.364 million on the cap.
The contracts of D.J. Reed and tight end Tyler Conklin also could be reworked. They’re in the final years of their deals and could have more years added.
As for left tackles, former Cowboy Tyron Smith and ex-Packer David Bakhtiari — a pal of Rodgers — are among the best available in free agency.
The Jets already added two starters to their offensive line this week, acquiring right tackle Morgan Moses in a trade with the Ravens and signing former Baltimore left guard John Simpson.
The Jets also have signed backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu and cornerback Isaiah Oliver. They re-signed kicker Greg Zuerlein, punter Thomas Morstead, safety Chuck Clark and offensive lineman Jack Hanson.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, who had a career-high six sacks with the Jets last season, is signing with the Cleveland Browns. The Jets still could bring back defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
