Source: C.J. Mosley agrees to 2-year, $17.25M deal with Jets

The New York Jets and linebacker C.J. Mosley have agreed to a two-year, $17.25 million contract that creates more salary cap space for the team and provides additional security for Mosley, sources told ESPN's Field Yates on Thursday.

Mosley, the team's defensive captain in 2023, was due to make a non-guaranteed $17 million in base pay in 2023 -- a bloated cap charge of $21.5 million, easily the highest on the team. The two sides extended the contract by a year and included $13.25 million in guarantees, including $9 million fully guaranteed this season.

The new contract will provide at least $8 million in cap savings, which should help the Jets' free agency efforts.

Mosley, 31, has been a stalwart for the past three seasons. He has played 50 out of 51 games and has led the team in tackles in each season, making the Pro Bowl in 2022 and second-team All-Pro in 2023.

He was one of the biggest free agent acquisitions in team history, signing a five-year, $85 million contract in 2019 after five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. At the time, it was a record contract for an off-ball linebacker. He missed 14 games in 2019 due to a torn groin, and he took the COVID opt-out in 2020, which tolled his contract.

The Jets, who began free agency with roughly $26 million in cap room, have yet to make a big splurge. They signed quarterback Tyrod Taylor, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, guard John Simpson, defensive tackle Leki Fotu and cornerback Isaiah Oliver to one- and two-year deals that average less than $8 million per year. Their big loss was pass-rusher Bryce Huff, who signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.