Jets’ 24-Year-Old Linebacker Shines in Career Year While Replacing $17.25 Million Star
The New York Jets defense has long been the backbone of their team, and while injuries have sidelined some key players this season, one rising star has stepped up to fill the void. Jamien Sherwood, once a relatively unheralded fifth-round pick, has taken on a larger role in 2024 and has emerged as one of the NFL’s most underrated defenders.
With C.J. Mosley, the team’s longtime linebacker and defensive leader, sidelined for most of the season with injuries—including a serious neck issue—Sherwood has made the most of his opportunity, proving that the Jets have more than one dependable linebacker. Through the first 10 games of the season, Sherwood has registered 97 tackles, ranking fifth in the NFL, according to ESPN, and he’s doing it all while continuing to develop into a key piece of the Jets’ future.
Sherwood’s Breakout Year
The 24-year-old former Auburn standout entered the league in 2021 as the No. 146 overall pick in the fifth round, and his first few years in the NFL were spent largely in a reserve role. But in 2024, Sherwood has seized the starting linebacker spot and hasn’t looked back.
With Mosley battling various injuries, including a significant neck issue that has kept him out for weeks, Sherwood has stepped in and quickly become one of the most productive linebackers on the team. In addition to his 97 tackles, Sherwood has posted two sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 57 solo tackles, all career highs. He has started nine games so far and has proven himself a reliable and versatile player for the Jets’ defense. With seven games still left in the season, Sherwood is on pace to shatter his previous career bests and further cement his place in the Jets’ future plans.
From Safety to Linebacker: Sherwood’s Unique Journey
Sherwood’s rise to prominence is a testament to his work ethic and versatility. While he played safety in college at Auburn, the Jets immediately converted him to linebacker when they drafted him. It wasn’t the easiest transition, but Sherwood has adapted well over the past few seasons. His athleticism, awareness, and ability to diagnose plays have allowed him to thrive at the position despite the steep learning curve.
This season, he’s not just filled in for Mosley—he’s arguably exceeded expectations and shown that he’s capable of being a long-term fixture on the Jets’ defense. As one of their few mid-round draft success stories in recent years, Sherwood’s growth has been a pleasant surprise for a team that has made major strides on the defensive side of the ball.
A Key Player with an Uncertain Future
Sherwood’s development comes at an interesting crossroads in his career. With Mosley on the back end of his career and currently dealing with a herniated disk in his neck, the Jets could soon be looking to build around a younger, more durable linebacker group. Sherwood, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, could be a key part of that future—provided the Jets act quickly to lock him up before other teams come calling.
In 2024, Sherwood is earning just $1.05 million in base salary, which means he’s due for a significant pay bump after what has been a breakout season. However, with a new front office and defensive coaching staff likely coming in for the Jets in 2025, his future with the team is far from guaranteed. A coaching change could mean a shift in defensive philosophy, which might not align with Sherwood’s strengths.
It’s clear that the Jets will have to make a decision on Sherwood’s future soon. While he’s been one of the team’s most reliable defensive players this year, the financials and the team’s larger offseason plans will play a role in whether or not they can keep him around. But after this standout season, the Jets would be wise to ensure they don’t let an emerging talent slip away.
Mosley’s Injury and the Jets’ Defense
As Sherwood rises, the Jets are also left hoping for a healthy return of C.J. Mosley, their defensive leader and captain. Mosley, who has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career, is now recovering from a herniated disk in his neck—an injury that’s kept him sidelined since pregame warmups ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots. Mosley described the injury as a “burn” down his neck that led to everything locking up, which has left him unable to play.
While the Jets are optimistic that Mosley could return in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks after their Week 11 bye, that remains uncertain. If Mosley can get back to full health, he’ll provide the Jets with a huge boost for the final stretch of the season. However, with his history of injuries and the team’s salary cap concerns, there is growing speculation that the Jets could move on from him after this year. Mosley is under contract for 2025, but a move could cost the Jets $16.4 million in dead cap. As such, it’s likely that he’ll be back for one more season in New York, though that’s hardly a certainty.
A Changing of the Guard?
The emergence of Jamien Sherwood has raised some interesting questions for the Jets’ future at linebacker. If Sherwood can continue this level of play throughout the season and into the future, he may be the heir apparent to C.J. Mosley as the centerpiece of the Jets’ defense. While Mosley’s leadership and experience will always be valuable, Sherwood’s rise offers a glimpse of what the team could look like in the post-Mosley era.
With Sherwood’s breakout season and Mosley’s uncertain future, the Jets find themselves in a pivotal moment on defense. Whether they move forward with the veteran Mosley or hand the keys to Sherwood, it’s clear that the linebacker position in New York is on the verge of a major shift. For Jets fans, the hope is that Sherwood’s continued development will be part of a long-term foundation for a defense that’s already among the best in the NFL.
