Riley Moss has one of the absolute toughest gigs in the entire NFL, playing corner across from a future Hall of Famer like Patrick Surtain II and getting targeted 100+ times the last two seasons. But get this: even with that insane pressure, last season Moss led the whole league with 19 passes defended, allowing a tight 53.4% completion rate which was 11th best among boundary guys. That’s pure grit, but here’s the kicker: he also racked up a league-worst 11 penalties. Yeah, you read that right.
He Doesn’t Back Down, And His Coach Loves It
This dude’s journey has been a trial by fire since his rookie year. He saw just one pass thrown his way in eight games back then, but it’s been a whole different ballgame since. You know what that kind of volume means: quarterbacks are coming at you, big plays are gonna happen, flags are gonna fly. It’s just part of the job. But Moss? He ain’t backing down. Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton was just gushing about it after practice, saying Moss has “a little grit and toughness.” Payton loves that he can “bury the last play” and knows he’s gonna get “a lot of traffic and attention.” He called it a “tough position to play,” and emphasized Moss “doesn’t back down at all from that, his confidence doesn’t wane.” That’s the kind of competitor you want in your secondary.
11 Flags Last Season, 100% Aggression This Season
So, you’ve got the league lead in passes defended, top-tier completion percentage allowed, and then BAM: 11 flags, worst in the entire league. That’s a wild line to walk, especially when you’re heading into a contract year like Moss is. But his mindset is absolutely dialed in. He says his parents always told him he “likes to learn the hard way,” and that it actually helps him in these spots. He knows they’re gonna throw the flag “because I’m being too aggressive,” but he’s not changing his game. Even ‘VJ’ tells him to “Keep going out there. Keep playing aggressive.” Moss is owning it, saying he knows he needs to “do better as a whole this season” and it’s been a “big focus of this camp.” He’s still gonna play aggressive and won’t “shy away from it.” You gotta respect that kind of commitment.
The Quest For The Lombardi Needs More Turnovers
Beyond the aggression, there’s one area Moss is hyper-focused on: getting more turnovers. Think about this: 27 passes defended combined over the last two seasons, but only two interceptions in his career so far. That’s a ton of disrupted plays that aren’t turning into game-changing takeaways. If he can figure out how to snag a few more of those, turning those deflections into picks, it’s gonna be a massive boost for the Broncos and their quest for a fourth Lombardi Trophy. That’s the kind of leap that transforms a good player into a truly elite one, and it sounds like he and the entire defense have been grinding on that all offseason and through camp.
It’s going to be fascinating to watch Moss this season. Can he maintain that league-leading pass defense, dial back the penalties just enough, and finally start hauling in those interceptions? This isn’t just about personal stats anymore; it’s about him proving he’s worth a big new deal and being a true difference-maker for the Broncos. Get ready, because it sounds like Riley Moss is bringing the fire again, flags or not.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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