Jamal Adams’ bravado has made him the face of the Jets’ defense, but there’s no player more crucial to the unit’s success in 2019 than inside linebacker C.J. Mosley.

Despite signing a massive five-year, $85 million contract with New York in March, Mosley remains mostly out of the spotlight. He keeps to himself, puts his head down and works hard to perfect his craft. He might not be putting himself out there on social media or in the press like Adams does, but that doesn’t take away from Mosley’s importance.

When the Jets broke the bank for Mosley in free agency, the hope was that the four-time Pro Bowler would come to the Big Apple and continue producing at an elite level. That remains the expectation for Mosley in 2019 and beyond, but with Avery Williamson sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL suffered in the preseason, Mosley becomes an even more invaluable part of New York’s operation on defense.

Prior to his injury, Williamson was defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ signal caller. He was responsible for calling all of the plays in the huddle and all of the checks at the line of scrimmage. That role now shifts to Mosley, the most experienced member of New York’s linebacker core.

It wasn’t the role he was expecting, but Mosley is now essentially the quarterback of the Jets’ defense. It’s not a role that requires him to break out of his shell and become a rah-rah vocal leader like Adams, but one that is essential to New York’s success this upcoming season.

It’s been a while since he’s taken on this kind of responsibility, but Mosley is no stranger to taking charge in the middle of a defense. He called plays at Alabama for Nick Saban, a role that is arguably more demanding than any he has taken on in the NFL. Mosley also led a relatively young group of inside linebackers with the Ravens the past couple of years and learned plenty playing with veteran Terrell Suggs.

Mosley is a blue-collar guy who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Despite signing a lucrative deal in free agency, he profiles more like a late-round draft pick or undrafted free agent who always has something to prove in the way he goes about his business.

He’ll never be like Adams personality-wise, but make no mistake about it: Mosley is just as important to the Jets as Adams or any other member of the team.