If you take it from his head coach, Jamien Sherwood deserves every accolade coming his way and a brand-new contract.
At his media availability on Friday, Jeff Ulbrich gave high praise to the fourth-year linebacker, who was named the New York Jets’ Curtis Martin Team MVP for 2024.
“Just unbelievable. For a guy who wasn’t the starter coming into the season, he responded first of all to the adversity of losing C.J. (Mosley) and stepping into very big shoes, as we all know. It is a surprise because he had never done it, but it is not a surprise because of the way this guy works and operates on a daily basis. You would be hard-pressed to find a harder worker, not only in this building, but any building in the NFL,” said Ulbrich.
“A guy that has taken himself from a late-round safety convert to a legitimate linebacker in this league. I am just so excited for the future now because it has just really planted seeds across the league as a guy that everybody is going to want on their team, and he is going to get rewarded for it. He deserves every penny he is going to get.”
Sherwood also expressed gratitude, calling the award “a blessing,” and said that his teammates viewing him in this manner “means a lot” to him. Additionally, Sherwood spoke about how C.J. Mosley has helped him this season.
“From the moment I got here, you know, C.J. has just been a tremendous help to every man in that room, whether it’s me, Quincy [Williams], Chazz [Surratt], Lino [Marcelino McCrary-Ball], Slug Jackson. This year, he’s just been nothing but the biggest help to us. Without him, I don’t know if our room would be able to run the same,” said Sherwood.
“You know, even though he’s not on the field with us, he’s been there every step of the way. He comes in the meetings, he came to the games, he’s just always been by our side supporting us. So without C.J., you know, the mold of our unit wouldn’t be as thick as it is, close as it is. We’re all just appreciative to have him in our lives.”
When asked about his upcoming free agency, the linebacker said he wants to stay where he was “welcomed” and said he wants to be in New York “a lot.” Sherwood also spoke about the game on Sunday, saying that the team “have to go out and play better” under Ulbrich.
“We got one opportunity left to show who we are as a defense, and it’s to go out there and be at our best when our best is required.”
Sherwood has blossomed into a respected leader for the Jets. Once an afterthought, he is now a key player for New York’s defense in the present, and the team hopes he will remain one in the future.
However, one game against the Dolphins still remains. To make good on his word, Sherwood will need to have the Jets’ defense ready to finish the season on a high note.
