NY Jets fans will love C.J. Mosley's selfless quote about his pay cut

There may not be a more respected player on the NY Jets' roster than C.J. Mosley. The All-Pro linebacker has proven to be one of the team's most valuable leaders on and off the field. He leads by example — that much was evident this offseason.

Mosley agreed to a revised contract this offseason that added an extra year and guaranteed $13.25 million of his $17.25 million overall salary. The move essentially allowed the Jets to spread the remaining $17 million in base salary he was owed over two seasons.

In essence, Mosley agreed to a significant pay cut to help his team create a whopping $14.2 million cap space. That one decision allowed the Jets to go out and add players like Tyron Smith, Mike Williams, Haason Reddick, etc. this offseason.

The five-time Pro Bowler spoke to reporters on Wednesday, and when asked about his decision to take a pay cut, he offered up a response that is sure to win over the hearts of Jets fans everywhere.

"It’s not always about the money. The pay cut and all that stuff, sacrifice comes in many different ways when you talk about sacrificing for your team and your teammates. It’s just one small gesture, but it goes a long way. When I say I don’t care about the money when I get on the football field, I just want to win and win with my teammates."

- C.J. Mosley

C.J. Mosley only wants what's best for the NY Jets

Mosley insisted that he didn't care about the money and that his prioirty was making sacrifices both for his teammates and the team as a whole. As Mosley said, "it goes a long way."

Of course, the business aspect of the situation is that the Jets did have leverage here. Mosley would be highly unlikely to make what he's receiving now on the open market. That said, Mosley could've pushed back and fought for every last dollar.

He didn't. Instead, he agreed to a pretty hefty pay cut, allowing his team to improve their chances of winning in 2024. That was Mosley's biggest concern.

The Jets signed Mosley to a massive five-year, $85 million deal prior to the start of the 2019 season. While his first few years in New York were a mixed bag, Mosley has done everything possible to shed that image and change the narrative over the years.

The nine-year NFL veteran was named a second-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl in 2022, and you can make a very convincing argument that he was even better in 2023. Mosley's 90.6 Pro Football Focus coverage grade ranked first among 77 qualified linebackers this past season.

Mosley is still playing at a very high level as one of the most impactful players on the Jets' defense, but it's his impact as a vocal team leader that really emphasizes his importance. He's irreplaceable in every sense of the word.

C.J. Mosley continues to prove why he's arguably the most revered player on the Jets' roster. History will be kind to his legacy as an all-time great Jets player.