The Denver Broncos have excused Jonathon Cooper from their mandatory minicamp, and the situation surrounding him has grown more complicated since his first arrest earlier this month. The outside linebacker was arrested twice in a seven-day span on multiple domestic violence charges, including a felony count of assault by strangulation, criminal mischief, harassment through repeated phone calls, and violation of a protection order.
Head coach Sean Payton addressed reporters on Tuesday in Englewood before practice.
“He’s taking this time, obviously, he’s got to work on himself,” Payton said. “The club is very much in tune to the league office, local authorities here, and we’ve had several meetings. Clearly, from an ownership standpoint, head coach, organizationally, there’s a bar that we have and an expectation that we have that’s very high. We’ll consider all of that as we continue to gather the information.”
Oct 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Payton declined to elaborate further when reporters followed up. He directed questions to the league office and local authorities and said the process would take time.
What the legal timeline looks like and what it means for Cooper’s football status
Two separate court hearings are now on the docket. A hearing related to the original arrest is set for July 6, with a second hearing for the more recent arrest scheduled for July 14. The trial is set for July 22, according to ESPN.
That date falls directly before the Broncos are expected to open training camp, meaning the organization faces the realistic prospect of Cooper’s legal situation remaining unresolved when the team begins serious preparation for the 2026 season.
Cooper has started every game for Denver in each of the past three seasons and has recorded 31.5 career sacks, 63 quarterback hits, and 266 tackles since the Broncos drafted him in the seventh round in 2021.
He posted eight sacks and 16 quarterback hits in 2025 and signed a four-year, $54 million extension in November 2024. He is a meaningful part of Denver’s defensive identity.
None of the above stats changes what Payton said. The expectation was “very high.” The situation is ongoing. The bar they have set will not bend for anyone on the roster, including one of their better pass rushers.
No charges have been adjudicated. Cooper is presumed innocent in both cases until proven otherwise in a court of law.