Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Randy Moss

How Randy Moss built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Randy Moss is a retired American football wide receiver, renowned as one of the sport's all-time greats. He played 14 seasons in the NFL for multiple teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers. Moss holds the NFL single-season touchdown reception record and the single-season touchdown reception record for a rookie, solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in the league.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1998: Rookie contract signed

In 1998, Randy Moss signed his rookie contract with the Minnesota Vikings, which was entering its final year in 2001.

2001: Contract Negotiations with Vikings

In 2001, Randy Moss and his agent negotiated a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Moss sought a long-term deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL, surpassing quarterbacks.

2001: Randy Ratio Introduced

In 2001, Vikings coach Mike Tice introduced the "Randy Ratio", a strategy to increase the number of passes thrown to Randy Moss.

January 10, 2002: Mike Tice named Vikings Head Coach

On January 10, 2002, Mike Tice was officially named head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

2002: Randy Ratio Scrapped, Moss named to Pro Bowl

Midway through the 2002 season, the Randy Ratio was scrapped. Randy Moss caught a career-high 106 passes but had a career-low seven touchdowns and was named to his fourth Pro Bowl.

2003: Moss achieves personal bests in 2003 Season

In the 2003 regular season, Randy Moss finished with 111 receptions for 1,632 yards and 17 touchdowns, all numbers that either tied or became a new personal best for Moss. Moss was also named to his fifth Pro Bowl.

2004: Moss posts career lows

During the 2004 season, Randy Moss posted career lows in receptions (49) and receiving yards (767), failing to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.

2004: Rule change allows Moss to wear #18

In 2004, a rule change allowed receivers to wear numbers 10-19, and Moss changed his jersey number to 18 upon joining the Raiders in 2005.

March 2, 2005: Moss traded to Oakland Raiders

On March 2, 2005, Randy Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders for linebacker Napoleon Harris and draft picks.

June 29, 2005: Randy Moss hosts Celebrity Charity Invitational Bass Tournament

On June 29, 2005, Randy Moss hosted the Randy Moss Celebrity Charity Invitational Bass Tournament to raise money for the Smile Network.

2005: Moss surpasses 1,000 yards in first season with Raiders

In 2005, Randy Moss surpassed the 1,000-yard mark on the final day of the season, finishing the year with 1,005 receiving yards on 60 catches, while the Raiders went 4-12.

November 14, 2006: Moss expresses unhappiness in Oakland

On November 14, 2006, Randy Moss expressed his unhappiness with losing games and being a member of the Raiders, indicating his desire to move elsewhere the following year.

2006: Moss records 553 yards and three touchdowns in 2006 season

During the 2006 season, Randy Moss recorded 553 yards and three touchdowns on 42 receptions. In Week 7, Moss had seven receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown in the 22–9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

2007: Moss Traded to New England Patriots

During the first day of the 2007 NFL Draft, the Patriots and Raiders reached an agreement to trade Randy Moss to New England for a fourth-round selection.

2007: Moss restructures contract upon joining Patriots

In 2007, Randy Moss restructured his contract to facilitate his trade to the New England Patriots, agreeing to a new one-year deal after Tom Brady freed up cap room.

2007: Raiders seek to trade Randy Moss

Leading up to the 2007 NFL draft, there were rumors that the Raiders were eager to part ways with Randy Moss through a trade, with the Patriots and Packers showing the most interest.

2007: Moss breaks single-season touchdown record

On December 29, 2007, Randy Moss caught his 23rd touchdown pass, breaking Jerry Rice's single-season record of 22 touchdown receptions.

February 28, 2008: Moss becomes a free agent

On February 28, 2008, Randy Moss became a free agent after the Patriots decided not to place the franchise tag on him.

March 3, 2008: Moss re-signs with Patriots

On March 3, 2008, Randy Moss re-signed with the New England Patriots for three years, $27 million.

2008: Moss forms Links for Learning foundation

In 2008, Randy Moss formed the Links for Learning foundation to help children in West Virginia.

2008: Moss records 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns

In 2008, Randy Moss hauled in 69 catches for 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns despite losing quarterback Tom Brady in the first game of the season.

March 2009: Moss's foundation donates 'Fun Center' to children's hospital

In March 2009, Randy Moss's foundation donated a Starlight Children's Foundation 'Fun Center' to the Women and Children's Hospital of Charleston, West Virginia.

2009: Moss has standout performance against Buffalo Bills and intercepts Kyle Orton

In 2009, during the season opener, Randy Moss had a career-high of 12 passes for 141 yards in a victory over the Buffalo Bills. Also in 2009, during Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, Moss intercepted a pass from Kyle Orton.

November 3, 2010: Moss claimed off waivers by Tennessee Titans

On November 3, 2010, Randy Moss was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, the only team to submit a claim.

2010: Moss finishes 2010 as NFL's active leader in receiving yards.

At the end of 2010, Randy Moss was the NFL's active leader in receiving yards.

2010: Moss finishes season with career lows

In 2010, Randy Moss finished the season with career lows in receptions and receiving yards.

2010: Moss expresses dissatisfaction with contract and indicates departure from Patriots

In 2010, prior to the season opener, Randy Moss expressed feeling unwanted by the New England Patriots due to a lack of a contract extension offer. Following a game in Week 1 of 2010, Moss told reporters that the 2010 season would be his last with the Patriots.

August 1, 2011: Randy Moss Announces Retirement

On August 1, 2011, Randy Moss's agent announced his decision to retire from professional football.

2011: Patriots trade Moss to the Vikings

In 2011, Randy Moss was traded from the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings.

2011: Titans release Moss making him a free agent

In 2011, The Titans announced they did not plan to re-sign Moss for the 2011 season, making him a free agent.

February 13, 2012: Moss announces return to NFL on his 35th birthday

On February 13, 2012, Randy Moss announced he was coming out of retirement and ready to play again on his 35th birthday.

March 12, 2012: Moss signs with the San Francisco 49ers

On March 12, 2012, Randy Moss signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

September 9, 2012: Moss passes Terrell Owens for second all-time receiving touchdowns

On September 9, 2012, Randy Moss caught his 154th touchdown reception, passing Terrell Owens for sole possession of second on the all-time receiving touchdown list.