With less than two months until the 2025 NFL season kicks off, fans and media alike are counting down the days. But perhaps no one is more eager for the season to begin than ESPN NFL analyst Randy Moss.
Moss, a fixture on Sunday NFL Countdown since 2016, was forced to step away last season after being diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma — a rare form of cancer near the bile duct that was impacting his liver function.
While he made a brief return for ESPN’s Super Bowl pregame coverage in February, there were some lingering questions about whether he’d resume a full-time role in 2025. That uncertainty was put to rest earlier this month, when ESPN confirmed Moss will return to the studio full-time for the upcoming season.
On Friday, Moss opened up about his upcoming return to ESPN during a chat with TMZ’s Michael Babcock, marking his tenth year with the network. He admitted he “can’t wait” to get back to Sunday NFL Countdown, even if Rex Ryan, in particular, has a knack for getting under his skin now and then…
“Man, I look forward to it,” said Moss on his return. “I miss my crew. Greeny, Alex (Smith), Teddy (Bruschi). But I really didn’t miss Rex Ryan much because he got on my nerves. Rex, if you are hearing this, I am coming back, so scoot over. But really, Michael, in all honesty, we have a great group of guys that I work with that I tremendously missed for two months. ESPN accepted me with open arms, man, I just can’t wait for Week 1 to get back up there with the crew and talk football.”
I talked to @RandyMoss about his return to the ESPN airwaves after being forced to step away following a rare cancer diagnosis last year.
Randy talks about the health battle — an “emotional roller coaster” — and what the tremendous outpouring of support meant to him.
Moss did… pic.twitter.com/lMONOH9rdO
— michael j. babcock (@mikejbabcock) July 11, 2025
Moss’ cancer diagnosis led to surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation, treatments all of which take a serious physical toll. But in his conversation with Babcock, Moss revealed that the emotional and mental challenges of recovery were just as tough. Thankfully, he said, the overwhelming support from his peers in the sports media world made a huge difference along the way.
“Just being able to experience that was nothing I wish on any man or any human being,” added Moss. “But for the fact that God took me through it and brought me out of it back healthy, being able to be back with my family, great support system, and some great doctors around me. Like I said, it was an emotional roller coaster, but the people I met on the way, I’m a blessed man. I’ll leave it at that.”