Safety Jamal Adams was one of the key Jets players who recruited running back Le'Veon Bell to New York.
Turns out, he also had a role in bringing linebacker C.J. Mosley to the Meadowlands as well.
"Obviously he's a tremendous player, I was excited to get him," Adams said, according to newyorkjets.com. "I kind of recruited him at the Pro Bowl. I didn't think they'd get rid of him, no one did. He came to us and I can't tell you how excited I am."
Mosley was the biggest free-acquisition on defense for the Jets this offseason, signing a five-year, $85 million deal with $51 million guaranteed after the Ravens didn't franchise tag him, allowing him to become a free agent.
With new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and new head coach Adam Gase, the Jets believe Mosley can further improve New York's defense.
"We just felt like he was culture-changer," Gase said last month. "And he was the type of guy that could help really kind of lead that charge in the locker room, where the team building starts the right way. He's been part of an organization that all of us would say has done things the right way for a long period of time. That culture stayed the same (after Ray Lewis retired), and C.J. was a big reason for that."
With Mosley, the Jets' linebacker corps features him, Avery Williamson, Jordan Jenkins and Brandon Copeland. And the Jets could also target a pass rusher with the No. 3 pick in the draft later this month.
Adams believes the 26-year-old Mosley, a former first-round pick, recorded 105 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and one interception in 15 games with Baltimore last season, is special.
"He can do everything. He can run you over, he can be patient and make you miss," Adams said. "He can flex out and run receiver routes, he can do it all. That's what makes him special. The most important thing is he's a great leader, and he's going to help Sam out and he's going to help that offense out."
Of course, Mosley will be going from a team that allowed the fewest yards per game and second-fewest points per game to a Jets team that ranked 25th and 29th, respectively.
But Adams, entering his third season in the NFL since New York drafted him sixth overall in 2017, believes things are coming together for the Jets to turn into a contender.
"We're getting there, brick by brick," he said. "We just have to keep stacking, keep working and have the team continue to get closer to each other because that's what it's about. As long as you have a good locker room, good guys in there, guys that want to win, guys that are eager to win and a coaching staff that is very talented that we have, you can't get any better. So when you add it all together, it's going to be special."