New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley was supposed to be paid $17 million in 2024 in the final season of his groundbreaking five-year, $85 million contract.

But that money wasn’t guaranteed, and the former Alabama All-American isn’t going to get it, even though he made 152 tackles last season. But he’s still going to be with the Jets in 2024 and probably 2025, too, after signing a restructured deal this offseason.

Mosley’s old contract carried a $21.5 million salary-cap hit for New York in 2024. His new two-year, $17.25 million contract will count $7.244 million against the cap.

In return for having his potential payday of $17 million for 2024 reduced to a guaranteed $9 million — $1.21 million base salary and $7.79 million signing bonus – Mosley got $13.25 million in guaranteed money that extends him into the 2025 season.

“The main mindset was I wanted to be here,” Mosley said on Wednesday. “I wanted to be a New York Jet, and I wanted to be a part of this defense we helped build together. We came a long way from 2019, and when I came here, I wanted to help build a winning program and, obviously, bring a Super Bowl and bring a championship, bring a division championship to our team. Until I feel like I can’t do that anymore at the highest level I can, then that’s the only reason I feel like I shouldn’t be here and be a New York Jet.

“I wasn’t nervous about not being a Jet again this offseason. I talked to (general manager) Joe D(ouglas). We had a face-to-face heart-to-heart. He said he wanted me here and I wanted to be here, and we made it happen, so definitely appreciative of it. It wasn’t no dramatics. We didn’t have to wait anytime. We just got it done and got to work, and that’s what it’s all about. It’s not always about the money and the pay cut and all that stuff.

“Sacrifices come in many different ways when you talk about sacrificing for your team and for your teammates. It’s just one small gesture, but it goes a long way. I don’t care about the money when I get on the football field. I just want to win and win with my teammates.”

The Jets haven’t reached the playoffs since the 2010 season, and New York has posted eight losing records in a row. That was all supposed to end in 2023 after the Jets traded for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player sustained a season-ending injury in the opening game, and New York went 7-10 in 2023.

But the optimism of last year’s offseason has returned in 2024.

“The sky’s the limit,” Mosley said. “We put our own limits on ourselves, so if you want to dream big and have those aspirations, we have to train like it, eat like it, study like it every single day.”

Mosley said he thought the team had taken steps this offseason to be prepared to fulfill its promise.

The Jets’ free-agent signees included defensive end Haason Reddick, wide receiver Mike Williams, offensive tackle Tyron Smith, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and guard John Simpson. New York also traded for offensive tackle Morgan Moses.

The Jets added seven players in last week’s NFL Draft, including the No. 11 pick, Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and the final pick, Alabama safety Jaylen Key.

“I’m really excited about it,” Mosley said. “We added some experience, we added some youth, some talent, so I feel like we’re doing all the right things, fitting in the right pieces. The questions that have been raised about our team, I feel like we answered them this offseason, and I feel like we had a really strong draft. We got Mr. Irrelevant, we got a great first pick with our O-lineman, and we got guys that can build competition within our position groups, but also on special teams, so I feel like we’re doing the right things.

“The upstairs are doing their part and now we’re here on the field doing our part in the offseason program, so when the time comes, we’ll put it all together. But for right now, everything’s going one step at a time.”

Mosley was a two-time All-State linebacker for Theodore High School. In 2009, he earned the Class 6A Lineman of the Year Award and recognition as a Parade All-American.

At Alabama, Mosley was a consensus All-American in 2012 and a unanimous All-American in 2013, when he earned the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker. Mosley played for two national-championship teams with the Crimson Tide.

Mosley entered the NFL as the 17th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and he’s been a Pro Bowler five times.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.