BALTIMORE (105.7 The Fan) -- The top-ranked Baltimore Ravens defense is set to undergo massive changes with the departures of star middle linebacker CJ Mosley, pass-rush fixture Terrell Suggs and sack leader Za'Darius Smith in free agency, following last week's release of Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle.
Mosley, whom the Ravens elected not to retain via the franchise tag, is signing a five-year, $85 million contract ($51 million guaranteed) to join the New York Jets.
Mosley was reportedly interested in returning to the Ravens for comparable money, but clearly the contract offers were far apart. Mosley will make $17 million annually, more than he would have made on the franchise tag ($15.9 million). The Jets came into the offseason with the second-most cap space in the NFL.
Mosley, a first-round pick in the 2014 draft, has served as the leader and face of the Ravens defense. He was a staple in helping the Ravens' defense rank in the top 10 in four of the past five seasons, and he earned four All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl selections.
Mosley, 26, recorded 105 tackles along with an interception and five pass defenses in 2018.
Rookie linebacker Kenny Young may be the Ravens' long-term replacement at middle linebacker, though the Ravens may look to add a veteran presence.
Suggs reportedly will sign with the Arizona Cardinals.
Suggs, 36, played 16 seasons with the Ravens -- generating 132.5 sacks in 229 games. He won a Super Bowl with the team in 2012. In 2018, Suggs was second on the team in sacks with seven.
Smith, who led the team with 8.5 sacks last season, will depart for the Green Bay Packers as a free agent.
The next generation of Ravens linebackers is 2017 draft picks Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams, who have generated just 5.5 combined sacks in two years.
By Austin Medina and Kyle J. Andrews