After being labeled a "culture-changer" by Jets head coach Adam Gase, linebacker C.J. Mosley certainly didn't disappoint in his first public appearance since becoming the NFL's highest-paid inside linebacker.
"When I talked to Coach Gase, I told him that I'm not coming here to lose," Mosley said just moments after the Green & White unveiled their new uniforms at Gotham Hall. "And I'm sure the new coaching staff didn't come here to lose either. You can see with the additions they added in the offseason."
Mosley had a number of suitors on the open market, but the Jets opened up their checkbook and got him to move north approximately 200 miles from Baltimore. While Gase will spend most of his time on the offensive ball with second-year quarterback Sam Darnold, Mosley joins a defense that will be formidable in the middle at all three levels and he will play in front of an emerging secondary star in safety Jamal Adams.
"(Gase) was saying, 'If you come in here, don't worry about the offense, we're going to get that right.' We got this guy (Adams) right here, so you know he's going to be right in the secondary," Mosley said with the former Bayou Bengal within earshot. "But I'm excited. It's a new era, new uniforms, so it's time to make some changes."
The 6'2", 238-pound Mosley does not just have the ability to be a culture-changer — he also has the potential to be a game-changer. Mosley and Panthers ILB Luke Kuechly are the only two players in the NFL with 500 tackles, eight sacks and eight interceptions since 2014. And going back to 2000, Mosley is only one of three NFL defensive players to have totaled 5+ sacks, 30+ QB hits, 5+ interceptions, 30+ pass defenses, 5+ forced fumbles and 5+ opponent fumble recoveries in any five-year span. Mosley did it twice, in 2013-17 and 2014 through last season.
"A simple way to put it is just controlled chaos," Mosley said of his relentless style. "I'm kind of direct, making sure I'm doing everything right and getting everybody in the right spot. But when I see the ball and I'm in that mood, it's time to go eat, it's time to go hunt."
A four-time Pro Bowler, Mosley is set to be the lead hunter for defensive coordinator Greg Williams. His address has changed, but No. 57 will remain the signal caller and central in command.
"You're calling the plays, you're the Mike, so you're definitely the quarterback," Mosley said. "Not to throw any shade or disrespect to players who've been here, but when you get paid that kind of money and get put on that kind of pedestal, you kind of know what position you wear.
"Lucky for me, I might change teams, I might change cities, but I'm still the same player," he added. "I'm excited to prove to my new teammates and new staff and new fans that I'm ready to come out here and win."
Head Into the Weight Room and Onto the Field with the Jets During the First Workout of the Offseason Program
Mosley, who had 597 tackles with the Ravens including four 100-stop seasons, is more than just a sound tackler. His 15 individual takeaways since 2014 are tied for the second-most by a linebacker in that span and Mosley's late interception of Browns QB Baker Mayfield in Week 17 sent the Ravens to the playoffs in 2018.
"Every-down linebacker. I can make any kind of play," he told reporters. "Field general, not one of the guys who's going to throw a temper tantrum on the sideline. I'm all about making sure guys are in the right position at the right time. I'll let my play do the talking."
Mosley says he'll bring his rowdiness to the field and remain his laid-back self off of the gridiron. After helping the Ravens finish No. 1 in total defense (292.9 Yds/G) and No. 2 in scoring defense (17.9 Pts/G), Mosley is eager to lead a turnaround in New York.
"I'm ready to try to have a new No. 1 defense and have new champions of the East," he said.
