Jets Free Agency: Mosley Addition A Major Boon To LB Corps
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets reportedly have landed one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Initially, they thought they had secured two.
After reaching a multi-year contract with New York on Monday night, veteran Anthony Barr reportedly broke that agreement on Tuesday and will return to the Minnesota Vikings, according to the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
Despite the setback, the Jets do have a reported five-year agreement with inside linebacker C.J. Mosley to celebrate. The former standout for the Baltimore Ravens will receive $85 million, with $51 million guaranteed, when the deal becomes official on Wednesday at 4 p.m., the first day of the new NFL year.
Barr and Mosley were considered two of the top linebackers available in free agency.
Sources: Former #Ravens LB CJ Mosley is expected to sign with the #Jets on a massive 5-year, $85M deal worth $51M guaranteed. That's $17M per year. It took a lot to leave Baltimore. ????????????
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019
Mosley is a 26-year-old four-time Pro Bowler. During his five-year stay in Baltimore, he had nearly 600 combined tackles, including 398 solo. He will slot in next to impressive Avery Williamson, who signed a three-year deal with the Jets last offseason and was one of the team's defensive leaders in 2018, finishing with 120 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks and an interception..
The Barr reversal likely means the Jets will look for another linebacker, preferably one that can line up on the edge and get after the quarterback. In the meantime, general manager Mike Maccagnan is expected to address the offense, with the plan being to put as much talent as possible around second-year quarterback Sam Darnold.
The first step in that pursuit is revamping a line that has been spotty over the last few seasons. Maccagnan started the process by acquiring two-time Pro Bowl guard Kelechi Osemele from the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. The next move could be locking up center Matt Paradis, who heading into the offseason was considered the best player available at his position on the open market.
As for skill position help, the Jets reached an agreement on a three-year, $28.5 million contract with veteran slot receiver Jamison Crowder on Monday, adding him to a pass-catching stable that includes Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson and second-year tight end Chris Herndon.
What remains to be seen is if Maccagnan can land the biggest fish of all, running back Le'Veon Bell, who was the best offensive player available when the legal-tampering window opened on Monday.