Baltimore Ravens Need to Extend C.J. Mosley Immediately

Contract negotiations between the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker C.J. Mosley have stalled—and an extension should be a top priority for the Ravens

Contract negotiations between the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker C.J. Mosley have reportedly stalled and signing Mosley to an extension needs to be a top priority for the team.

Mosley is currently on the last year of his contract and, if an extension isn’t reached, he will become a free agent after the 2018 season.

It’s unclear why the Baltimore Ravens haven’t extended Mosley yet. He’s made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t want to play anywhere other than Baltimore and he’s established himself as one of the most important pieces in what was a very effective Ravens defense last season.

Mosley had one of the best seasons of his career last year (right up there with his rookie season), finishing the year with 132 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and seven passes deflected.

More from Baltimore Ravens

• Baltimore Ravens: Will this be Breshad Perriman’s last game as a Raven?
• Baltimore Ravens: Why RG3 Will Not Make the Ravens’ 53-Man Roster
• Baltimore Ravens have to make a decision on resting key offensive players
• Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Situation With Jimmy Smith Likely Suspended
• Top 5 Baltimore Ravens to Get on Your Fantasy Football Team

He is one of only two linebackers in the NFL (the other being Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly) to have at least 450 tackles, five sacks, and five interceptions since the 2014 season.

So far in his career, at just 26 years old, he’s been to three Pro Bowls, and named second-team All-Pro three times. He is easily one of the most important pieces in the Baltimore Ravens organization, yet last week when asked about his contract situation, Mosley said there were “No updates so far … Nothing has been configured by them.”

It’s difficult to say just why the Baltimore Ravens haven’t signed Mosley to an extension yet. Perhaps they’re wary of signing defensive players to long-term deals after injuries have limited the effectiveness of Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb, or maybe they believe Mosley isn’t as valuable as he and his agent thinks he is.

If the former is the case, the Ravens are wrong to be worried—Mosley has been one of the most durable players on the Ravens over the years and doesn’t have the injury worries that guys like Smith and Webb have.

If it’s the latter, they’re similarly wrong, and players on the team know it. “C.J. is one of the premier players in this league,” Terrell Suggs said, adding that “not everybody can come through these doors and be considered a Raven for life,” but that, so far, Mosley is “one of those rare guys that’s going to be a lifer here.”

Next: Expect Joe Flacco to Have a Pro Bowl Season

Suggs is right, and hopefully the Baltimore Ravens will understand that and get a deal done as soon as possible.