“They can say whatever they want, as long as we win the football game,” CJ Mosley didn’t hold back his words before the season opener. But now, with the Jets a dismal 32-13 down to the 49ers late in the fourth quarter of their one-way gridiron torture match, those same words of Mosley’s took on another ring. From strictly combating the point board, they are on the edges to keep their defensive leader on the gridiron.

In Jet’s slow-motion battle with the San Francisco 49ers, Mosley’s trip into the blue medical tent set off shock waves at the whole MetLife Stadium. Connor Hughes tweeted the news on X, “CJ Mosley is banged up and coming off the field. That is a very key piece to the #Jets defense. Not just as player, but leader out there.” The timing couldn’t have been worse, with the Jets’ defense still reeling like a drunken sailor from allowing 28+ points in 6 of their last 9 games.

What Mosley means to the Jets deserves more than a brief mention. At 6’2″ and 231 pounds, he provides the physical presence necessary to cope with tight ends like Kittle. But it is his leadership that sets him apart truly–as was put so well by Sauce Gardner before the game, “They’re trying to say it’s an offensive organization. Shoot, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard the offense say that.” According to Mosley’s leadership, even in such thought-provoking rivalries, the defense must try to keep up.

With C.J. Mosley calling the signals and directing traffic, the Jets’ defense strategy is based on his ability to anticipate and adjust split-second details in offenses. He and Quincy Williams working together is critical for handling the kind of versatile threats posed by players such as Deebo Samuel. When Mosley dragged toward the sidelines limping, it was not just a player leaving the field; it was also a portion of the Jets’ defensive game plan walking off.

Fortunately for Jets fans, the scare was short-lived. Zack Rosenblatt reported, “CJ Mosley has his helmet on and is coming back into the game. Big sigh of relief for the Jets defense.” But the brief absence highlighted a glaring question: What happens when the maestro can’t conduct? With the 49ers’ Jake Moody nailing his fifth field goal of the night, extending their lead to 32-13, the Jets’ defense needed answers – and fast.

Can the Jets’ defense hold the line?

During the few moments Mosley spent on the sidelines, attention shifted to the depth of the Jets’ defense. Quincy Williams and Jermaine Johnson both had their roles suddenly increased in significance, filling what was left by their captain of the defense for this game’s first half. The task was daunting, especially since the Jets had only created two pressures on the 49ers’ first 28 pass tries.

This moment served as a litmus test for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. How would he adjust his blitz packages without Mosley’s field-reading abilities? The 49ers’ offensive line, already giving Brock Purdy ample time, suddenly looked even more formidable. The brief reshuffle also highlighted the Jets’ offseason moves – or lack thereof.

As The Athletic pointed out, “All of a sudden, Haason Reddick might have a little bit of leverage.” The pass rush, already struggling, faced an uphill battle without Mosley’s leadership. This was particularly evident when the Jets failed to convert a crucial fourth-and-1, with Rodgers‘ pass to Wilson broken up by Yiadom.

Nonetheless, despite this temporary setback, the defense proved unyielding. Before the game Mosley had said, “If that makes them feel good to say it’s an offensive organization, that’s fine with me.” There is a confidence, it seems, which spreads through this entire defensive unit and enables it to withstand such storms. But the real test will come now: after this injury scare and with the ongoing regular season, the Jets will hope that they will be able to get through and turn around their luck.