Randy Moss Returns
When Randy Moss and his family said he would “Moss cancer” six months ago, they weren’t lying.
Randy Moss has evidently beaten the odds and will turn his sights back on the sport he loves, a wonderful development for the 48-year-old.
The 48-year-old revealed a bile duct cancer diagnosis late last year, but about six months later, Moss will return to his post at ESPN, a stunning and welcome development.
The Vikings legend is back.
Randy Moss Back at ESPN after Cancer Diagnosis
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown will be the scene for Moss this autumn, returning to his job after the cancer battle.
NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio wrote Tuesday, “One of the greatest players in NFL history will be back in this fall to talk about the sport he dominated. ESPN confirmed to Andrew Marchand of TheAthletic.com that Randy Moss is expected to make a full-time return to Sunday NFL Countdown in 2025. It’s great news.”
“Moss was diagnosed last November with bile duct cancer. He missed the final two months of the season, but he returned for the Super Bowl. Moss joined ESPN in 2016, after a stint with Fox.”
ESPN’s statement: “Randy’s return on Super Bowl Sunday was an emotional lift — not just for our team but for the entire football community — and knowing he will resume his full Sunday NFL Countdown schedule, beginning in Week 1, has been the highlight of the offseason.”
Marchand of The Athletic added, “Moss also shared that a stent was inserted into his liver due to complications from his condition, and he would undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatment for the cancer. His recovery has progressed to the point where he is expected to join the ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ crew every Sunday. It will be his 10th year with ESPN.”
Call It a Comeback for Randy Moss
Six months after a cancer revelation, Randy Moss will return to ESPN.
The Shocking News in December
Moss announced on Instagram his bile duct cancer diagnosis, incredibly sorrowful news as it’s one of the most fatal types. With his sons at his side, the former Viking vowed to beat the disease. Fast forward to June 2025, and he’s well on his way to carrying out the prediction.
Larry Fitzgerald Sr., the father of NFL great Larry Fitzgerald, initially claimed that Moss had liver cancer, which his family quickly disputed. Moss used social media to clarify the details of his disease a few days later, revealing that he had a Whipple procedure and calling himself a “survivor” of cancer almost as immediately as he announced the diagnosis.
Moss’ Legacy
Minnesota drafted Moss in 1998, a controversial selection at the time due to his splotchy reputation in college. He fell on the draftboard accordingly, and then-general manager Jeff Diamond, who now writes for VikingsTerritory, took a flyer on the Marshall alumnus.
He took the NFL by storm as a rookie and never looked back. Moss banked 1,313 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his first season, and by the time he retired in 2012, he ranked second all-time in receiving touchdowns and fourth in receiving yards.
The Hall of Fame greeted him in 2018 with no debates from anybody about his induction.
Beating the Odds
What can’t be overstated about Moss’ return are the numbers and probability. Bile duct cancer is difficult to detect, mitigate, and defeat, with an estimated 9%-15% survival rate.
Early detection rarely accompanies bile duct cancer, chemotherapy is generally ineffective, and surgery is usually the only recourse. All those unfortunate characteristics of the disease make Moss’ story all the more remarkable. Bile duct cancer also spreads faster than most.
Other Details on Moss’ Return
TMZ wrote about Moss’ comeback: “Moss revealed he was dealing with some sort of health issue in December. He didn’t disclose more information at the time, only that it was internal. A few weeks later … he announced his cancer diagnosis — saying doctors had discovered a mass ‘in the bile duct right between the pancreas and the liver after his urine had some discoloration.'”
“It forced him to be in the hospital for six days, during which he underwent surgery to remove the growth. After being away from the cameras for two months, he appeared during the NFL Honors Show, thanking his doctors and family for their support.”
It’s worth noting that Moss might be the most beloved Viking in franchise history.
TMZ concluded, “The 48-year-old returned to TV on Super Bowl Sunday in New Orleans … where he was shown a heartfelt tribute video featuring Tom Brady and Bill Belichick — which brought him to tears. Welcome back, Randy!!”
Moss’ son, Montigo, auditioned for the Vikings’ roster in May.
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