NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss is one of the best in the NFL at his position, yet he has been flagged for defensive pass interference more than anyone else in the league this season.
Moss’s teammate, reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, believes Moss’ running has something to do with it. Moss is one of the few White cornerbacks in the NFL, and Surtain wondered if that had anything to do with the calls.
“Riley balls, bro. I’m not gonna lie, I think they’re racial profiling my dog, man. They’re calling all these flags on my boy, man. I’m not gonna lie, the flags are fierce, bruh,” Surtain said during a recent episode of “Closed on Sundays with Pat and Terrion.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Riley Moss (21) of the Denver Broncos is shown during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 26, 2025. (Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Surtain recalled a recent play from the Broncos’ 44-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys in which he believed Moss was unfairly flagged.
“You don’t get it, bro. He had a rep against CeeDee (Lamb). They ran (a fade route), he was in perfect position, played the ball, played with his hands — they called a flag on my dog. I’m like, I don’t know what that is. What do they have against him?” Surtain said.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold asked if Surtain thought Moss was being profiled, and Surtain replied, “Yeah, they’re profiling him.”
JETS OWNER ACCUSED OF MAKING ‘SLICKY COMMENTS’ TO QUARTERBACK ABOUT INJURIES THAT HESITATED HIM TO THIRD
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) breaks up a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 26, 2025. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)
“It must be, bruh. I don’t know what it is.”
Moss has been flagged for defensive pass interference seven times in eight games this season. The penalty was declined twice and accepted five times, according to nflpenalties.com.
Moss, 25, is in his third season in the NFL and will be asked to handle the opposition’s top wide receiver over the next few weeks after Surtain strained his pectoral muscle. Surtain is expected to miss a few weeks.
Riley Moss (21) of the Denver Broncos runs on the field in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Oct. 26, 2025. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Moss has nine passes defensed and 38 combined tackles for the 6-2 Broncos through eight games this season.
Pakinomist Digital reached out to the Broncos, the NFL and the NFL Referees Association for comment on Surtain’s theory.
