Broncos CB Riley Moss Breaks Silence on Refs' Excessive Flags

Riley Moss finally addressed his persistent penalty problem, which could threaten to sink the Denver Broncos' playoff hopes if it isn't fixed.

October 26, 2025: Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) signals incomplete on a pass to the end zone in the first half of the football game between the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. | Derek Regensburger / IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss has been penalized 11 times this season for 178 yards. In the Broncos' 22-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Moss was dinged three times, twice on pass interference penalties (totaling 87 yards) and once on defensive holding, which wiped a Jahdae Barron pick-six off the board.

"Listen, I will absolutely own up to the last one, the underthrown ball. I can’t be grabbing him like that," Moss said post-game. "It’s tough. It’s already a tough position, and I have to be able to, in those situations, play the ball."

Moss' two pass interference penalties led to Chiefs' points — a field goal and a Travis Kelce touchdown. Considering that his defensive holding foul erased a touchdown, Moss cost the Broncos 16 points in a tightly contested, crucial divisional game that went down to the wire.

After the game, Moss acknowledged the troubling pattern and expressed a resolve to finally tackle it. The Broncos' Week 12 bye affords him the opportunity to do just that.

“In practice, it’s going to be a big emphasis. We are going to put the boxing gloves on me, we’re going to tape them up. So there’s no chance," Moss said. "It’s a repetitive thing. People can have their opinion on it, but me, as a professional athlete, I need to be able to realize that, 'Okay, this has happened multiple times.'"

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Moss Penalties Become Part of Opponents' Game Plan

October 19, 2025: Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) indicates incomplete as New York Giants wide receiver Beaux Collins (81) looks on in the second half of the football game between the Denver Broncos and New York Giants. The flag was for pass interference that gave the Giants the ball at the one with under 1 minute to play. | Derek Regensburger / IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Now, has Moss been unfairly targeted by the refs? The optics say yes, so much so that the Chiefs included it in their game plan against the Broncos.

After all, Moss has been targeted 69 times this season (most in the NFL). With 11 penalties, that means the flags fall on 15.9% of targets thrown his way.

The Chiefs recognized that and they won't be the last. Just chuck a few balls deep with Moss in coverage and watch the yellow laundry fall.

Surtain's Defense of Moss

Patrick Surtain II, who's missed the past three games with a pectoral strain, went to bat for Moss a couple of weeks back on his podcast, jokingly saying that the refs are targeting his cornerback partner due to racial profiling (because he's white). Many a truths are said in jest.

"Riley [is] balling, bro. I ain't going to lie. I think they're racial profiling my dog, though, man," Surtain said with a smile on his Closed On Sundays podcast with co-host Terrion Arnold. "They're calling all these flags on my boy, man. I ain't going to lie; the flags is egregious." 

“I think they racial profiling my dog.”

Pat’s theory on Riley Moss’ DPI calls is hilarious 😂 pic.twitter.com/GKjoFz41AY

— Closed on Sundays with Pat and Terrion (@closedsundaypod) October 29, 2025

Surtain's comment was tongue-in-cheek, but his point about the refs having it out for Moss was the truthful component. However, Surtain's words seemed to have resonated with NFL officials, as Moss went two straight games without drawing a single penalty.

But those chickens came home to roost in a big bad way vs. the Chiefs. The Broncos are fortunate they were able to survive the yardage and points that Moss' penalties cost them.

"Yes, it’s unfair sometimes, and it sucks. But I can’t be in that position as much as I have been," Moss said. "So that is something to work on. Again, everyone has their opinion, but as a competitor and as an athlete, I have to own up to some of it and get better from it.”

A Very Good CB

Moss is one of the NFL's best No. 2 cornerbacks. With very few exceptions, he'd probably be the No. 1 cornerback for most teams. And while Surtain has been out, Moss has been Denver's No. 1, doing some heavy lifting in the secondary.

Moss has relinquished one of the lowest completion percentages when targeted this season. He can be a dominant player, but he's got to clean up his penalty issue before reaching his full potential.

On one hand, the Broncos need Moss to stay physical and aggressive, while on the other, figuring out how not to be so grabby at the catch point. He's not going to sacrifice his aggression in his pursuit of penalty Shangri-La.

“I’m going to continue to be aggressive. I’m going to continue to play, but I’m going to work on (it)," Moss said post-game via KOA Radio. "Because it’s been a consistent thing, so it’s time to figure it out.”

After the bye, Surtain is expected back, which will take some of the pressure off Moss. Teams will continue to test Moss, though, in hopes of drawing a flag.

Right now, Moss is caught up in the same situation that Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles dealt with early on in his NFL career. The refs whip out the magnifying glass on every single rep, instead of letting him play with the benefit of the doubt.

The Takeaway

Moss ranks fourth on the team in tackles, with 52 (38 solo). He's also broken up 10 passes, but he's still looking for his first interception of the 2025 campaign.

The Broncos may be willing to live with Moss' penalties as a sunk cost of sorts, because he's so good in every other aspect of his cornerback responsibilities. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and head coach Sean Payton have been patient in their willingness to live the penalties because Moss is so lock-down in coverage, and he's a phenom in run support.

This is an issue the Broncos won't want to come back to haunt them in the playoffs. As Moss said, it starts in practice, and the Broncos will have two weeks to help him figure out the technical flaws to his game that are leading to the most penalties by a cornerback in the NFL this season.