C.J. Mosley’s interception a timely reminder why Ravens need to pay him

A defensive leader in Baltimore:

C.J. Mosley has emerged as the leader of their defense, which was ranked number one overall in the NFL this season. A quiet, understated figure compared to outspoken defensive stars across the league such as the Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Ramsey, or the Denver Broncos Von Miller, Mosley lets his play speak for himself, staking his claim to be the best inside linebacker in the NFL.

Mosley has a knack for making big-plays, and they don’t get much bigger than his interception against Cleveland. The Ravens are finally back in the playoffs, and their fifth-year linebacker at the heart of their defense has had everything to do with the team’s success.

This was, perhaps surprisingly, C.J. Mosley’s first (and only) interception of the 2018 season. Nevertheless, this play should serve as a timely reminder of Mosley’s importance to the team. This leaves the Ravens with only one option concerning his future. With his contract set to expire before the 2019 season, Baltimore must pay him.

Just ask the Chicago Bears how impactful an elite linebacker can be; not on just the defensive side of the football, but on the whole team and its culture. New Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta cannot afford to make a similar mistake to Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden. In the 2018 off-season, Gruden traded All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack to the Bears for future NFL draft picks. Since the trade, the Bears have been a different team. With a renewed sense of hope following Mack’s arrival, they have clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2010 and look to do further damage in the playoffs.

Conversely, Gruden’s Raiders and their 26th ranked defense fell to a dismal 4-12 record, with much scrutiny directed at Gruden and former General Manager Reggie McKenzie for their decision to part with their best defensive player. This subsequent rise of the Bears, and demise of the Raiders, proves that defensive, franchise players should never become available.

Although Khalil Mack and C.J. Mosley are entirely different types of players, the main takeaway from the Mack trade is obvious: pay your star defensive players. This should be equally clear to the Ravens’ General Manager and organization moving forward. C.J. Mosley and the Baltimore will prepare for their Wildcard playoff clash with the Los Angeles Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium with the hopes of advancing further into the post-season. The game will kick off this Sunday at 18:05 pm EST.