C.J. Mosley wants Bryce Huff back with the New York Jets
The New York Jets’ eyes are looking inward to several pending free agents now that the 2023 season is over. While most aren’t a high priority, one player is set to cash in after making his case as a top pass rusher in the NFL.
Jets defensive end Bryce Huff is slated to be a free agent fresh off a career year. Huff led the Jets in sacks with 10. He was the first Jets edge rusher to record 10 sacks in a season since Calvin Pace in 2013. He’s not just getting sacks either – Huff was second in the NFL with a 20.06% pressure rate, a mere 0.02% behind NFL leader and Cowboys star Micah Parsons.
This elite pass-rush ability is likely why Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley wants Huff to stay. During the end-of-season press conference, New York’s defensive captain looked directly at the camera and said “Bryce Huff! Stay!”
CJ Mosley doesn't want Bryce Huff to go anywhere: #Jets
"Bryce Huff, Stay!"
"His motor is unmatched. He's a guy that gives his all. He comes to work with a mindset to dominate & be the best player on the field, & that's what you want as a teammate." pic.twitter.com/YItkRUweKm
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) January 8, 2024
The veteran linebacker went on to praise Huff’s motor and work ethic in the last three seasons together.
Mosley voiced the feelings of many Jets fans who have watched Huff. An undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2020, several people at Jets X-Factor saw something that could be developed.
Taking a look at the numbers behind the #Jets' defensive UDFA pickups 📈
If I'm picking one player out of this class to make the team, I'm going Bryce Huff. He wrecked the AAC with dominant production in 2019: https://t.co/MA4ie83NpS pic.twitter.com/YZUX6V9tVz
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) April 30, 2020
Starting as a situational pass rusher, Huff improved rapidly and was given a starting job in 2021. He played well until a back injury held him out for half the season, and he returned to a specialist role in 2022. Huff thrived in this role, leading the NFL in pressure rate (20.8%) among edge rushers with at least 185 snaps. He took the next step in 2023, playing over double the snaps and maintaining a similar pressure rate while converting more pressures into sacks.
Will the Jets keep their homegrown star? That’s a difficult question to answer. The Jets are deep at defensive ends on the roster, bolstered by first-round picks in 2022 (Jermaine Johnson) and 2023 (Will McDonald). The Jets are also tight on cap space with only $16.8 million, per Spotrac (20th in the league).
Building a strength is great because then you can trade from that position to supplement a weakness. But still, its a tough decision. If saleh ends up gone after 2024 then likely so does this heavily rotating line. Then we’ll be wishing they kept huff. But currently theres so much capital in that dl as is. And not a lot of cap space. And huge needs on the ol and wr on a win now team. Sighs… i think a tag n trade will be the only answer because of where this team is, or where they think they are. Certainly not gonna tag becton or zach. Only question for me is how much can they get. A 1st and more? Thats what id be looking for. A young elite pass rusher doesnt grow on trees.
Could not agree more. Bryce is the only trade asset worth a high second day pick and more later in the day. We have no O-Line and limited receiving corps so trade while the value is at its highest.