Several Denver Broncos are playing for life-changing money in 2025, led by a pair of cornerbacks who could land massive contracts in free agency with Ja’Quan McMillian and Riley Moss.
What’s clear at this point is that the Broncos can’t keep both of them, and the DNVR Denver Broncos Podcast went over what a contract extension might look like for each of them on Wednesday, predicting McMillian at a 3-year, $48 million extension and Moss at a 3-year, $55 million extension.
If both players hit the open market, there’s a chance the value of those deals could go up by anywhere from $5 million to $10 million.
From DNVR: “For Riley, the projection is 3 years, $55 million … that’s probably about the ceiling right now. He’s certainly not getting $20 million per year. Even $18 million is a little too close to that, so we’re erring on the high side. If these guys hit the open market next year, they’re getting this kind of money. You do get a little bit of a discount when you sign them early, so there’s no reason it wouldn’t happen here.”
Riley Moss Scored Massive Offseason Payday
Moss was one of the NFL’s top earners in the league’s annual performance-based incentives program following the 2025 season. It’s the bonus system the league uses to pay players with low salaries who play high snap counts.
Moss scored a $1.136 million bonus after starting all 17 games in 2025. It ranked Moss No. 12 among all NFL players who received bonuses, with Chicago Bears cornerback Nahson Wright coming in 1st with a $1.441 million bonus.
In 2024, Moss started 14 games after missing 3 games due to injury, and in each of his 2 seasons as a full-time starter, the Broncos have made the playoffs.
“Some exceptional players on that list — including Riley Moss toward the top,” Broncos fan Ron Caphill wrote on X. “Hopefully, Broncos Country appreciates and understands this.”
The NFL’s incentives-based program has been around since 2002 and has distributed approximately $3.8 billion over the last 24 years.
Bonus Almost Equal to Entire Salary in 2025
Moss just finished the 3rd season of the 4-year, $5.4 million rookie contract he signed after he was selected in the 3rd round (No. 83 overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.
That contract paid him approximately $1.2 million in 2025 — meaning his bonus almost doubled his annual salary.
“Performed-Based bonuses know more ball than you if you think Riley Moss sucks,” 5280 Sports Group’s In The Nix of Time wrote on their official X account.
Another Option: Cash Out in Trade to CB-Needy Team
If the Broncos don’t seem all-in on committing to Moss, it’s because they drafted cornerback Jahdae Barron in the 1st round (No. 20 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft — meaning the most value Moss might bring the Broncos right now is in a trade to a cornerback-needy team.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine put Moss at the top of a list of trade targets for 3 teams — the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers — headed into the 2026 offseason.
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti put Moss at the top of his list of trade candidates for the Broncos following their 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Any deal for Moss should bring back a Day 2 draft pick or multiple Day 3 draft picks.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Broncos’ 17-Game Starter Predicted for 3-Year, $55 Million Extension appeared first on HEAVY.