NY Jets LB C.J. Mosley presents powerful recruiting pitch to free agents

NY Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley is a man of few words. The Jets' 2021 team captain and unquestioned leader of the defense prefers to lead by example and work ethic as opposed to with his language.

But make no mistake about it, Mosley talks when he has to. And when speaking to the media earlier in the week, Mosley did his best to offer a powerful recruiting statement for prospective free agents this offseason.

Mosley was asked if he was concerned about free agents being hesitant to sign with the Jets given their lack of recent success. Without hesitation, Mosley offered up about as effective of a response as anyone could have asked for.

"If you’re scared to come here because you think you might lose, then don’t come. If you want to come here to change the culture, change the atmosphere, to prove you can be one of the best players to help this organization, help this team win and get back to a Super Bowl, then by all means necessary, bring everybody with you. Bring that same mindset. I mean, that’s all we need. If you come with negativity and doubt, then there’s no point in even coming. If you want to be a part of something special and believe in something special, then the doors are open for you."

- C.J. Mosley

Simply put, Mosley doesn't want players on the Jets who are afraid of losing. He wants teammates who will embrace the challenge and help build the culture, thereby turning the franchise around.

He doesn't want bandwagoners — he wants tone-setters.

C.J. Mosley is doing his part to recruit players to join the NY Jets

Mosley later tweeted out that this was his "recruiting statement" and that he wouldn't be "sliding into any DMs." The veteran linebacker isn't going to go on some recruiting tour contacting his colleagues from around the league to join him in New York.

Again, that's not the type of person he is. Mosley instead opts for a less-is-more approach, and his statement above makes that abundantly clear.

The 29-year-old is in the midst of his third season with the organization, although it's really the first he's been able to actually play after missing essentially all of 2019 and 2020 due to injury and a COVID-19 opt-out.

He's returned in 2021 and, although he's struggled from time to time, it's hard to deny the impact he's had on the defense as a whole. Mosley has amassed a career-high 155 total tackles that ranks fifth in the NFL and are the most by a Jets player since Jonathan Vilma's 173 in 2005.

There's a reason C.J. Mosley was voted the team MVP by his teammates earlier this week. He has the utmost respect of every individual in that locker room.

Those around the NFL see that as well, and perhaps that will be enough to convince upcoming free agents to make the trip to Florham Park.