Cornerback Riley Moss is staring down a predicted $17 million contract per year after the 2026 season, and for the Denver Broncos, that number is absolutely massive. ESPN’s Seth Walder dropped the projection, saying this fan-favorite defensive back could either re-sign with Denver or hit the open market with a deal matching Jaylen Watson’s average annual value with the Rams. This isn’t just some casual rumor, it’s a serious prediction about a key player’s future.
Broncos Defense Is Elite, And So Is Moss’s Value
Walder’s prediction isn’t pulling numbers out of thin air, he’s seeing what everyone who watches the Broncos knows: Moss is a seriously talented outside corner. He’s played well opposite Patrick Surtain II throughout his NFL career, and when you combine that with his “fan favorite” status, you know he brings a ton of value to that defense. This Broncos defense, by the way, is one of the NFL’s best, making them a top contender coming out of the AFC. Guys like Nik Bonitto and Surtain get a ton of hype, and deservedly so, but Moss is clearly one of those key players making a huge difference. He’s absolutely essential for their ability to go on a deep postseason run.
The Price Tag And The Broncos’ Dilemma
Now, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Moss did lead all corners in penalty yards last season, which is a stat nobody wants to see next to their name. But even with that, Walder still sees him as a very high-upside starter, the kind of guy who’d be of significant value to plenty of teams looking for a shutdown corner. The rising salary cap across the league and the pure difficulty of finding good starting cornerbacks means the Broncos are in a tough spot. Losing their No. 2 CB on the open market after 2026 is a very real possibility. They could try the franchise tag to keep him for another year, or even get creative with a tag-and-trade to get some assets back. A long-term extension isn’t out of the question either, but the bottom line is, Riley Moss is about to command serious money.
Regardless of how it shakes out, that $17 million per year price tag is what’s waiting for Riley Moss this upcoming offseason. The Broncos have a crucial decision ahead: keep their fan favorite and a vital piece of their elite defense, or watch him walk. It’s going to be a wild ride for Denver through 2026, and this contract situation is going to be a massive storyline.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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