It’s been a bit of a roller coaster for Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’Von Moehrig. Moehrig bounced back in 2023 after experiencing a difficult sophomore campaign in 2022. Another strong showing for Moehrig in 2024 could earn him the contract extension he desires. It’s truly make or break for Moehrig’s tenure as a Raider this season.
Moehrig enjoyed a quality rookie season in 2021 after the Raiders made him the No. 43 overall selection in that draft. That former TCU standout earned a career-high coverage grade of 77.7 (per PFF) as an immediate contributor. Moehrig then hit a second-year wall in 2022 under a new staff, spearheaded by head coach Josh McDaniels and his defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
It took time for Moehrig to adjust to Graham’s defensive scheme and approach. Moehrig’s PFF coverage grade plummeted to 49.0 as he was credited with allowing 29 receptions on 40 targets. Opposing quarterbacks avenged 12.2 yards per completion and enjoyed a passer rating of 132.7 when targeting Moehrig in coverage.
Everything changed for Moehrig in 2023, particularly after McDaniels' firing following a Week 8 defeat. The Spring Beach, Texas native arguably played his best football under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who compiled a record of 5-4 in Vegas' final nine contests. Moehrig matched a previous single-game career-high 10 tackles just two weeks later against the Miami Dolphins and played some of his best football of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16, and Denver Broncos in Week 18.
All in all, Moehrig concluded 2023 with career-highs in total tackles (83), pass breakups (eight) and interceptions (three). He'll attempt to carry that momentum over to a fate-deciding 2024 campaign while attempting to avoid the year-to-year dropoff he experienced in 2022. Vegas' offseason dealings paint a positive outlook for Moehrig.
The Raiders removed the interim tag from Pierce's title, naming him full-time head coach. That sense of continuity should help Moehrig pick up where he left off. Pierce retained Graham as defensive coordinator, who has gained a better understanding of how to deploy Moehrig as a defensive chess piece over time.
The Raiders do have a new general manager in Tom Telesco. The new regime isn't the one that drafted Moehrig with a premium top 50 selection—although Telesco will be familiar with Moehrig, having previously served as GM of Las Vegas’ division rival Los Angeles Chargers. Telesco’s arrival nonetheless adds a layer of pressure to Moehrig's impending campaign.
Moehrig is slated to earn a base salary of $4.1 million in 2024 during the final year of his rookie contract, according to Spotrac. The safety market was flipped on its head earlier this week when Tampa Bay's Antoine Winfield Jr. became the highest-paid safety in NFL history. If Moehrig continues thriving under Pierce and Graham, he'll be well-positioned to earn a lucrative extension from Telesco next offseason before he hits the open market.
The onus will be placed on Moehrig to continue building momentum toward cementing himself as a core member of the Raiders' defense. A second straight productive season would land Moehrig a multi-year contract that pays him more than double his currently scheduled salary. Moehrig controls his destiny.
