Cornerback Riley Moss has one of many hardest jobs within the Nationwide Soccer League. Attempting to shutdown high-end broad receivers on a weekly foundation is already powerful sufficient. That process turns into so much more durable taking part in throughout from a Corridor of Fame caliber participant like Patrick Surtain II.
Showing in eight video games as a rookie, Moss had only one go thrown in opposition to him. Since then? It has been trial by hearth for the previous Iowa Hawkeyes standout. Pending the supply, Moss was focused at the least 100 occasions the previous two seasons. That quantity putting him as one among NFL’s most focused corners.
With quarterbacks getting into your route that always, an occasional large play given up or a penalty in opposition to you is certain to occur. It’s simply part of the sport. Even so, Moss has by no means shied away from a problem. Actually, he has embraced it. Yesterday after apply, Head Coach Sean Payton took a second to reward the fourth-year cornerback’s method to the place.
“A little grit and toughness. He can bury the last play. He knows he’s going to get a lot of traffic and attention. Yes, I like his toughness,” acknowledged Payton.
CENTENNIAL , CO – AUGUST 6: Cornerback Riley Moss (21) of the Denver Broncos heads to the rostrum to talk to media after apply on Thursday, August. 6, 2026, at Broncos Park in Centennial, Colo.(Picture by Timothy Hurst/MediaNews Group/The Denver Put up through Getty Photos) Denver Put up through Getty Photos
“I think it’s a tough position to play, and he doesn’t back down at all from that, his confidence doesn’t wane. That’s a really good trait.”
Final season, Moss led the league in passes defended with 19 final seasons. Moreover, he allowed solely a 53.4 completion proportion which was eleventh greatest for boundary cornerbacks. That’s fairly spectacular, particularly how usually he’s challenged each week.
Sadly, Moss was on the incorrect finish of the size in a single respect—penalties. He was worst within the league in that respect drawing 11 all through the course of the 2025 season. Getting into his fourth season with the franchise, a contract yr, Moss vowed to remain aggressive in his method on gamedays regardless of the excessive variety of flags going his route.
“My parents have always told me this, I like to learn the hard way. It actually helps me out in those situations because yes, they’re going to throw the flag because I’m being too aggressive. But even ‘VJ’ will tell me, ‘Keep going out there. Keep playing aggressive.’ It happens,” acknowledged Moss.
DENVER , CO – DECEMBER 21: Riley Moss (21) of the Denver Broncos warms up earlier than the sport in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Area at Mile Excessive in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 21, 2025. (Picture by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Put up through Getty Photos)
“I know I need to do better as a whole this season, and I have been. It’s been a big focus of this camp. I’m still going to play aggressive and not shy away from it.”
Along with taking part in aggressive, Moss talked about one space he’s hoping to get significantly better at—creating turnovers. Regardless of an eye-popping 27 passes defended mixed the final two seasons, Moss has simply two interceptions in his profession to this point.
Discovering a solution to flip a few of these into game-changing performs will surely assist the Broncos of their quest for a fourth Lombardi Trophy. This offseason and thru coaching camp, Moss and your entire protection has been working diligently to make that enchancment. After apply, he mirrored on final season and the way he plans to reel in additional interceptions in 2026.
“I was in great position for the most part the entire year last year. Now it’s turning my head and trusting my ability to go and play the ball because the receiver is also playing the ball. It’s just getting out of that habit of that man-to-man instead of just going out there and looking for the ball. It’s a hard habit to break, I won’t lie to you, but that’s why we’re out here practicing. It’s been a big point of emphasis for me.”
