Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper’s legal situation has escalated just weeks before training camp.
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Cooper had already pleaded not guilty this week following a domestic incident in Parker, Colorado. Now, court records show the case has expanded with an additional felony allegation.
The Broncos are monitoring the situation, while the NFL is expected to review it under the personal conduct policy.
Jonathon Cooper faces additional Broncos concern
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper will face two additional charges, including a felony charge of second-degree assault, from his arrest last week in Parker, Colorado, according to court records.
The added charges include second-degree assault by strangulation and third-degree assault. Cooper initially faced misdemeanor criminal mischief with a domestic violence designation after he and his girlfriend were arrested on June 4.
He was released from Douglas County Jail on June 5 on a personal recognizance bond. A motions hearing is scheduled for July 6, with a possible jury trial set for July 22.
Jonathon Cooper’s case remains complicated
Police records show conflicting accounts of an argument over cellphones. According to Cooper’s affidavit, his girlfriend took his phone and threw it, and he grabbed her upper arm while trying to get it back.
His girlfriend alleged to the police that Cooper grabbed her by the neck, held her against a wall, threw her to the ground, and punched a wall near her head. Officers noted inconsistencies between some alleged marks and the described assault.
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver PostCooper later apologized on Instagram, writing that posting a Bible verse after something serious “does not just mean everything is okay.”
The situation escalated late Thursday again, with reports saying Cooper was arrested once more and faced additional accusations tied to domestic violence, harassment, and an alleged protection-order violation.
How Jonathon Cooper’s situation impacts the Broncos
Cooper is not a fringe player. He was a seventh-round pick in 2021, signed a four-year, $60 million extension in 2024, and is coming off a season with 50 tackles, eight sacks, and four passes defended.
His eight sacks ranked second on the team behind Nik Bonitto, and the Broncos’ defense set a franchise record with 68 sacks.
If Cooper is unavailable for camp or faces league discipline, Jonah Elliss is the first name to watch. Sean Payton has already said Elliss will remain primarily at edge rusher, while Dondrea Tillman and Que Robinson give Denver more rotational depth.
The Broncos still have a strong pass-rush base. But losing Cooper, even temporarily, would put more pressure on Bonitto and force Denver to test its depth before the season begins.
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