The Denver Broncos have a decision to make on cornerback Riley Moss.

Moss, a third round pick by Denver in the 2023 NFL Draft, is entering the final season of his rookie contract.

So is cornerback Ja’Quan McMillan.

The feeling is that Denver will only be able to keep one of the talented defensive backs, and McMillan, who has already begun extension talks with the Broncos, is the favorite to remain with the team.

Some comments from Broncos superstar cornerback Patrick Surtain II earlier this summer point to that being the case.

Denver seems far more likely to let Moss walk in free agency due to the emergence of cornerback Jahdae Barron, a first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

“It’s been great,” said Surtain when asked in June where he’s seen Barron grow. “He’s been studying in the film room. You can tell he’s progressively getting better — his IQ and his fundamentals of the game. He seems like he’s just wise beyond his years going into his second year. So I’m excited for him.”

Teams just can’t pay everyone. And if the Broncos are going to pay McMillan after paying Surtain two years ago, it’s incredibly unlikely they’ll also pay Moss, even though he’s a good player. It’s a puzzle and sometimes all of the financial pieces don’t fit.

And the fact that the Broncos have Barron waiting in the wings — assuming he continues to get better at playing the outside cornerback position — seemingly signals that 2026 will be the last season for Moss in Denver.