Returnees: C.J. Mosley (10th year), Quincy Williams (6th), Jamien Sherwood (4th), Zaire Barnes (2nd), Chazz Surratt (3rd), Marcelino McCrary-Ball (1st)

New Vet: None

Newcomers: Jimmy Ciarlo (UDFA), Jackson Sirmon (UDFA)

What's New
The term "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies better to the Jets linebackers than any other position group on the team. The duo of C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams placed itself among the best linebacking pairs in the league last season with a historic season by both. Williams was named a first team All-Pro, Team MVP and finished with a career-high 139 tackles and 15 TFL. Mosley had 152 tackles, eighth-most in the NFL, and was the Mike linebacker for the league's third-ranked defense in yards allowed (292.3 per game).

Williams signed an extension last offseason and Mosley, a three-time second-team All-Pro, reworked his contract this offseason to give the team salary cap flexibility., meaning they will both be securely back for 2024.

Other than Mosley and Williams, the Jets retained four linebackers from last season including Jamien Sherwood. In 2023, Sherwood recorded career-highs in tackles (46) and tackles for loss (3). The only new members of the Jets linebacker crew are a pair of undrafted free agents: Jackson Sirmon (University of California) and Jimmy Ciarlo (Army).

To answer the question of what's new with the Jets linebackers? A, I would say almost nothing, and they'd like to keep it that way.

Strength of the Group
Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley's numbers last year showed their partnership is the obvious strength of this position group after they each finished in the top 15 in the league in tackles. But the most underrated aspect of this pairing is their durability.

Mosley and Williams did not miss a game in 2023 and finished third and eighth , respectively, in defensive snaps played among linebackers – the only tandem of linebackers ranked in the top 13. Knock on wood, but the strength of this Jets linebacking core is the consistency and durability of their All-Pro pair of backers.

Biggest Question
What will Quincy Williams do for an encore?

Since being claimed off waivers by the Jets in 2021, in 2023 no doubt Williams had the best year of his NFL career earning first-team All-Pro honors. He fell short of his other goal , however, of earning his first Pro Bowl selection. How will he be better in 2024 and to earn a Pro Bowl nod and help the team reach the postseason?

"I need that All Pro and Pro Bowl this year," Williams said. "The most important thing is building off what I did last year and not having the mindset of being complacent. I'm still Quincy Williams and now I have to prove that I'm All-Pro still again."

Potential Training Camp Battle to Watch
With the starting roles locked up by Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley, the most notable battle at the position will be for the third spot among Chazz Surratt, Zaire Barnes and Jamien Sherwood. Sherwood seemingly has the inside track after a productive 2023 season, however, a second-year leap from Barnes could have him competing for playing time. Barnes played primarily on special teams last year, but the Jets sixth-round pick (No. 184) from 2023 appeared in all 12 games as a senior with Western Michigan and had a career-high 94 tackles, including 5five for loss and 1.5 sacks.

What They're Saying
Linebacker Quincy Williams on his relationship with C.J. Mosley: "I'm still learning how to be a leader, especially from [Mosley]. So, having him come back another year is one of those things as far as like taking advantage of that opportunity with him being here, I'm excited about it. The most important thing is just learning from him, how to be a leader and then again, how to be a pro, also. So, especially with the guys we got coming in, he's the best person to look at."