Jets LB C.J. Mosley retires after the 2024 season, creating a leadership void. As the team looks to 2025, all eyes are on RB Breece Hall to step up.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Jets locker room is a little quieter and a lot less experienced today. In a move that signals a true changing of the guard, veteran linebacker and defensive heart C.J. Mosley announced his retirement from the NFL on his 33rd birthday, leaving a massive void in leadership as the team prepares for a pivotal 2025 season.
Running back Breece Hall is coming off a season with just 876 rushing yards, six fumbles, and eight dropped passes.
Via a heartfelt social media post, C.J. Mosley called it a career after 136 hard-fought games. Since signing his massive five-year, $85 million contract in 2019, Mosley has been the unquestioned leader of the Jets' defense. Despite battling injuries, his presence and resilience were a constant. His retirement isn't just a loss of on-field production; it's the loss of the team's veteran compass, a player who navigated the franchise through turbulent times. The move opens up a significant leadership opportunity on defense as the Aaron Glenn era truly begins.
While the defense deals with the loss of its leader, the offense is putting its own star under the microscope. Pro Football Focus has officially labeled running back Breece Hall as the Jets' 'make-or-break' player for 2025, and the stats back it up. After a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw him post just 876 rushing yards, six fumbles, and eight dropped passes, the pressure is on. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Hall's future in green and white is uncertain. While Coach Glenn dismissed trade rumors, he acknowledged the need for improvement. The drafting of rookies Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen isn't just for depth; it's a clear message.
Despite the day's somber news, there's a current of optimism surrounding Florham Park. NFL.com recently named the Jets one of the league's 'most improved' teams, a nod to an aggressive offseason that saw no major missteps. With a new head coach in Aaron Glenn, a new general manager, new coordinators, and a new franchise quarterback, the organization has been completely overhauled. A key piece of this rebuild, first-round pick Armand Membou, is already preparing for his first training camp. The rookie left tackle is expected to compete for a starting job immediately, tasked with solidifying an offensive line that was a major weakness last season.
The new regime's roster shakeup continued with a move to address the team's chronic kicking issues. The Jets signed UFL kicking phenom Harrison Mevis, who will now compete for the starting job in camp. It's a low-risk, high-reward move that shows Coach Glenn is leaving no stone unturned. Meanwhile, in the owner's box, Woody Johnson made waves across the pond, agreeing to purchase a 43% stake in English Premier League club Crystal Palace for $254 million. While a fascinating business move for the Jets owner, fans are more concerned with seeing a return on the investments made on the field.
Monday was a microcosm of the 2025 Jets: a day of poignant goodbyes and immense pressure for the future. C.J. Mosley's retirement closes a chapter, but the book on this new era is just beginning to be written. With training camp on the horizon, the 'most improved' label means nothing. It's up to players like Breece Hall to prove their worth, rookies like Armand Membou to step up, and Coach Aaron Glenn to turn all this change into what really matters: wins.
