The Denver Broncos have one of, if not the best secondary in the National Football League. It’s loaded with top-tier starters and boasts quality depth. Every key starter is slated to return for the 2026 season. However, the future in the Broncos’ defensive backfield is far less certain with a handful of players scheduled to hit free agency after the end of the 2026 season.
Two of those are cornerbacks Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian. Moss and McMillian have been an integral part of Denver’s defensive
efforts over the past two seasons. In an ideal world, the Broncos would find a way to keep both. However, they have 2025 first-round pick Jahdae Barron waiting in the wings and have to work within the restraints of the salary cap.
As of now, the Broncos currently have a little over $25 million in cap space. That’s after the post-June 1st boost given from Dre Greenlaw. Though it doesn’t account for the $5 million raise given to shutdown cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Denver will certainly need to roll over a good share of that into 2027 where they have just a smidge over $2 million to play with. Keep in mind, they will have to allocate an extra $5 million in ‘27 toward the cap if Surtain makes the Pro Bowl or earns All-Pro honors in ‘26—which seems quite likely.
With Bo Nix up for an extension at the beginning of the 2027 league year, the Broncos are going to have to make some tough decisions when it comes to retaining players. One of the biggest decisions, as mentioned above, will be regarding Moss and McMillian. The way I see it, only one will be a Bronco in ‘27.
Yesterday, I did a Feed post with a poll asking Broncos Country who they would prefer, but before I get into the results, let’s discuss both players and their achievements to date with the Broncos. There is certainly a strong argument for each of them to be the cornerback the Broncos prioritize on keeping.
Riley Moss
Career Statistics: 45 games played, 31 starts. 2 interceptions, 27 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. 172 tackles, 4 tackles for loss. Targeted 222 times with 136 receptions allowed, 1,620 yards given up, 8 touchdowns surrendered.
Playing opposite of the best cornerback in the NFL isn’t easy. Even so, Moss has performed admirably given the challenges and immense of targets he faces on a weekly basis. After a playing in a reserve role as a rookie in 2023, the former Hawkeye standout has been a full-time starter on the boundary for the past two seasons.
Opposing quarterbacks are only completing 53-percent of passes when targeting Moss. That’s one of the best rates in the league. However, the fourth-year pro also gets his fair share of criticism from drawing a lot of pass interference penalties and struggling to stay with shifty and speed receivers on deep routes. Nevertheless, the former third-round pick has been an important part of Denver’s top-notch secondary since being drafted.
Ja’Quan McMillian
Career Statistics: 51 games played, 16 starts. 2 interceptions, 27 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. 172 tackles, 4 tackles for loss. Six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 24 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 7 sacks. 258 targets, 155 receptions allowed, 1,649 yards allowed, 12 touchdowns surrendered.
Undrafted out of East Carolina in 2022, Ja’Quan McMillian went from a practice squad player as a rookie to one of the NFL’s premier nickel cornerbacks in short order. Feisty with a knack for creating game-changing turnovers, McMillian has been one of the most underrated Broncos’ defenders over the past several seasons.
In that timeframe, he has reeled in six interceptions (two for touchdowns), forced five fumbles, and has two fumble recoveries. Not only that, but he has made a lot of plays in the backfield registering 7 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Head Coach Sean Payton was vocal all last year about how he wanted his defense to generate turnovers and one of the players to deliver was McMillian. The best way to describe McMillian’s play—clutch.
The Decision and Poll Results
Cornerback is a premium position in the NFL and good players get paid a lot of money. I have a strong feeling that both Moss and McMillian will command more than $15 million a year on the market. Given that and the salary cap situation I outlined above, I believe only one will remain a Bronco beyond the 2026 season.
Moss has proven is worth as a reliable number two corner in the NFL and McMillian’s rise from an undrafted rookie free agent to a top-flight nickel corner has been a pleasure to watch. Each are deserving of an extension, but who does Broncos Country feel deserves it more?
It was a close race, but the winner was Moss who came away with 56-percent of the 159 votes cast. Will the Broncos’ front office feel the same way? Only time will tell. Thanks to everyone who voted and offered their insight on the topic.
