C.J. Mosley tried to come home to the Ravens before retiring.
Sometimes, we forget that these are people we are talking about. In today’s age, we’ve analyzed many of their games since they were playing in high school. They aren’t just the Baltimore Ravens. They’re gladiators. They’re superheroes in pads and helmets, but at the same time, they are also people.
The same guys we reduce to Madden ratings and Fantasy football points have families. They have mothers and children. They have feelings. Sure, sometimes we look at them and all we think about is their cap number, but that isn’t fair.
The Ravens have long been a group of characters who have character. Look at them. This organization reinvented the term ‘swagger’, but every once in a while, they bond with us, both fans and the media. Enter C.J. Mosley.
C.J. Mosley attempted a Ravens reunion pre-retirement announcement
It’s been a while. The Baltimore Ravens selected C.J. Mosley 17th overall during Round 1 of the 2014 NFL Draft. Four of his first five NFL seasons ended in nominations to the Pro Bowl Roster. He earned four Second-Team All-Pro mentions as well, but in 2020, he left the nest and joined the New York Jets after signing a five-year deal that would pay him $85 million.
He earned another Pro Bowl nod and Second-Team All-Pro mention during the 2022 Jets season. Things were never the same for Mosley in New York as they were for him in Baltimore. He missed all but two games in 2019. He opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19.
Toe and neck injuries forced him to miss all but four games during the most recent Jets campaign. He was released on March 12 and retired on his birthday, but it appears he attempted one last ride with Baltimore before he did so.
WJZ’s Rick Ritter reports that C.J. hoped for a reunion in Baltimore for one last run at a title. There was reportedly interest on both sides, but he couldn’t get cleared medically because of the damage done by previous injuries.
Yeah… We always knew he missed The Flock, right? It’s understandable. The Ravens family also missed him, and everyone understood he had to leave to ensure the long-term financial future of his family. That being said, though the journey may have ended, we’re left with the joy of memories he helped create, memories like the following:
The caption reads as it should. “An iconic moment in Ravens history… Congratulations on your career and retirement, C.J.” Everyone can agree with that…
Enjoy the rest, Mr. Mosley. You have certainly earned it. Kick those feet up. The young guys will take it from here.