Veteran NFL linebacker C.J. Mosley, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, has officially announced his retirement after a decorated 10-season career. The 33-year-old veteran shared the news on Thursday, June 19, 2025, coinciding with his birthday, via a social media post.
Mosley posted a video reel on Instagram and shared on X, which reflected on his entire football journey, from youth leagues and his successful college career at Alabama to his time in the NFL. The video included a voiceover where Mosley expressed his readiness for a new chapter: “I spent my whole life and career building my legacy. Now, it’s time to start a new chapter with new dreams.” CBS Sports was among the first outlets to report on the news, which Mosley later confirmed.
A Star Emerges in Baltimore
Mosley entered the NFL as the No. 17 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He arrived with the notable task of stepping into the shoes of future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis at inside linebacker, and he quickly proved he was up to the challenge. In his rookie season, Mosley made an immediate impact, finishing second in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and earning both his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors.
He spent his first five seasons (2014-2018) with the Ravens, consistently performing at a high level. During his tenure in Baltimore, Mosley earned Pro Bowl selections in four of those five years (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) and received second-team All-Pro recognition four times as well. He was a defensive cornerstone, highlighted by a memorable interception of Baker Mayfield in the 2018 regular-season finale that sealed the AFC North title for the Ravens.
Transitioning to the Jets
Following the 2018 season, Mosley became a coveted free agent. While the Ravens reportedly intended to re-sign him, he ultimately signed a significant five-year, $85 million contract with the New York Jets in 2019, a deal widely reported at the time as the richest ever for an inside linebacker.
His start with the Jets was challenging, marked by injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic. In his first season in New York (2019), a groin injury suffered in his debut limited him to just two games. He then chose to opt out of the entire 2020 NFL season due to the pandemic.
Leading the Jets Defense
Despite the early setbacks, Mosley returned to the field and established himself as a vital leader for the Jets defense, being voted team captain in every season he was with the franchise. From 2021 through 2023, he was highly productive, averaging an impressive 159 combined tackles per season. His strong performance during this stretch earned him his fifth and final Pro Bowl selection in 2022, along with another second-team All-Pro nod.
Mosley’s final NFL season in 2024 was unfortunately hampered by injuries, specifically to his toe and neck, which limited him to just four games with three starts. The Jets subsequently released the veteran linebacker on March 12, 2025, amidst other roster moves, including the emergence of younger linebackers like Jamien Sherwood. Mosley did not sign with another team in free agency before deciding to retire, though reports indicate he has remained involved in mentoring some Jets players.
A Look at the Career Numbers
Over his 10 active playing seasons across 11 years (including the 2020 opt-out), C.J. Mosley appeared in 133 NFL regular-season games. He accumulated impressive statistics, solidifying his place as one of the league’s premier linebackers of his era:
1,083 Total Tackles
12.0 Sacks
55 Tackles for Loss
40 Quarterback Hits
53 Passes Defensed
12 Interceptions
10 Forced Fumbles
9 Fumble Recoveries
5 Pro Bowl Selections
5 Second-Team All-Pro Selections
C.J. Mosley retires from the NFL after a impactful career defined by high performance, leadership, and resilience. As he transitions to the next phase of his life, his contributions on the field for both the Ravens and the Jets, along with his consistent presence as a top linebacker, will be remembered.
