After partaking in just two games last season, New York Jets LB C.J. Mosley is reportedly skipping the 2020 campaign.
BREAKING: Jets LB CJ Mosley has decided to opt out for 2020 due to family health concerns, sources tell ESPN. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 1, 2020
Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley will be opting out of the 2020 NFL season. Mosley, 28, becomes the second New Yorker to opt-out, following the departure of reserve offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi.
Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Jets last offseason after five years with Baltimore. He made his NFL entry as a first-round pick (17th overall) and earned four nominations each to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams.
His Jets debut was one to remember, as Mosley earned six tackles (including a sack), a fumble recovery, and an interception returned for a touchdown in the Jets’ opening weekend tilt against Buffalo. A groin injury kept him out of the fourth quarter of that 17-16 loss and would later sideline him for the rest of the season, save for an October showdown with New England. Mosley later underwent surgery to resolve the issue.
According to Cimini, Mosley’s opt-out has to do with “family health concerns” as the NFL prepares to navigate its 2020 season around the coronavirus pandemic. The Jets have descended upon Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park to prepare for training camp. But Mosley’s opt-out, as well as the trade of Jamal Adams to Seattle, will leave the Jets without two of their top defenders.
Mosley is, at press time, the 36th NFL player to opt-out of the season. He’s one of the most notable departures to date on a list that includes Super Bowl star Damien Williams and New England Patriots Pro Bowler Dont’a Hightower. The Patriots have been, by far, the team most affected by the departures, with seven exits so far. Receiver Marquise Lee was the latest on that list.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags