The Denver Broncos have bigger goals in 2026 than simply following up a strong 2025. They’re trying to hold onto the AFC West crown for the first time since the franchise rattled off five straight division titles from 2011 to 2015, and that means getting more out of both sides of the ball.
The roster is built to chase it. Denver brought back most of its regulars and added a major offensive piece in Jaylen Waddle, a move designed to help the team improve in the middle of the field, where it has struggled with both presence and production.
On defense, though, the Broncos are staring at a different kind of challenge. Last season’s pass rush was almost historic, as Denver came close to the all-time single-season sacks record.
That kind of production is hard to repeat, and the team looks like a natural candidate for some regression there. If the sacks dip, the secondary has to carry more of the load, especially after the Broncos weren’t exactly airtight in coverage down the stretch despite having Pat Surtain II for most of that run.
That puts a spotlight on veteran cornerback Riley Moss. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season if he doesn’t land an extension, and he’ll need a big year to strengthen his case for sticking in Denver. Moss was targeted heavily last season, and with Jahdae Barron waiting behind him, the pressure is on.
ESPN’s Ben Solak pegged Moss as the Broncos’ X-factor, writing Friday: “He is the most targeted cornerback in football,” Solak wrote Friday. “Moss saw a league-leading 116 targets last season as opposing offenses (rightfully) worked away from Pat Surtain II on the opposite side of the formation.
“Any corner who sees that level of attention can swing games with his play. Thanks in part to a healthier 2025, Moss improved across the board. He more than doubled his passes defended (from 8 to 19) and saw his completion percentage allowed fall from 63.7% to 53.4% as a result.”
Moss’s profile makes the assignment clear. His speed and agility give him a chance in man coverage, but teams are going after him so often that his performance can shape games. In a contract year, that makes his season especially important for both player and team.
He still hasn’t piled up many interceptions, but the jump in passes defended is a strong sign that he’s around the football more often. For a Broncos defense that may not be able to rely on another record-level sack total, that kind of production could matter plenty.
In Other News...
Broncos Rookies Already Have A Few Veterans Looking Very Replaceable
The Broncos rookie class made a surprisingly immediate imprint on the first 53-man roster, with four draft picks surviving the cut while three others were waived and some landed on the practice squad. For a team trying to build real depth instead of patching holes year after year, that kind of early roster traction matters, especially when it starts to change the way the depth chart looks from top to bottom.
What makes the group interesting is not just who made it now, but who sits in front of them. Several veterans ahead of these rookies are on contracts that give Denver real flexibility down the line, and the way the first-year players develop could put some of those older names on borrowed time. The clearest payoff may not come until 2027 or beyond, but the path to starting jobs is already starting to open. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Cheerleader Story Reignites An NFL Pay Debate
A Denver Broncos cheerleaders social media post has put a familiar NFL conversation back in the spotlight, showing how many dancers in the league are still balancing game-day work with full-time careers away from the stadium. In her case, the weekday job is as a registered nurse, with cheerleading filling weekends, a reality that underlines how limited earnings can be for a role that is highly visible but often poorly compensated.
The post has again stirred fans and commentators who have long argued that NFL cheerleaders should be paid more, especially given the demands and public profile of the job. It also arrives at a moment when the issue has already gained traction elsewhere in the league, with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders landing a significant raise after a Netflix documentary drew attention to what they were making. [Read more 🡒]
Riley Moss Is Forcing A Broncos Decision They Can't Ignore
Riley Moss has reached the point in a Broncos career where his next step matters as much as his last one. Entering a contract year without an extension in place, the cornerback has put himself in position to be a major part of Denvers long-term plans, especially after holding up well on the other side of Patrick Surtain II. The Broncos have clearly noticed, too, with Sean Payton praising Moss for his toughness and resilience as he has carved out a bigger role in the secondary.
The question now is whether Denver treats Moss like a core piece before the market gets involved. ESPNs Seth Walder projects a deal in the neighborhood of $17 million per year, which would push the Broncos toward a decision on whether to pay for his upside now or risk letting the price climb later. Payton has pointed to the penalty issues as the main area to clean up, but the bigger picture is hard to miss: Moss has done enough to make his next contract one of the more important issues on Denvers radar. [Read more 🡒]