Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was arrested on Thursday night, according to TMZ. He is being held in a Colorado jail on two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief.
Cooper’s girlfriend was also arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence and criminal mischief charges, Mike Klis of 9News reports. While arguing over cheating allegations, she admitted to taking Cooper’s phone and throwing it across the room. Cooper then grabbed her arm and took his phone back, according to the affidavit.
Cooper faces a misdemeanor charge “of criminal mischief from $300 to $999,” per the Denver Post’s Luca Evans and Parker Gabriel, who add his girlfriend is facing an additional charge of “petty criminal mischief less than $300.” After retrieving his phone, the 28-year-old defender told the woman he would break her phone if she did not leave his apartment. When she refused, the player allegedly bit her phone and caused “disabling damage.”
“We are aware of the matter and gathering more information,” the Broncos stated (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette).
Obtaining a personal recognizance bond, Cooper was released from custody, according to the Post. His girlfriend remained in custody at the Douglas County Jail as of Friday afternoon.
Cooper has developed into a key defender for the Broncos since they drafted him in the seventh round in 2021. The former Ohio State Buckeye worked as a reserve in his first two seasons, during which he combined for 86 tackles and 4.5 sacks over 30 games (14 starts). Since 2023, though, Cooper has put together three consecutive 17-start seasons and combined for 27 sacks. He recorded a career-high 10.5 in 2024, and the Broncos awarded him a four-year, $60MM extension during the season. There are still three years left on the deal.
Thanks in large part to an elite defense, the Broncos went 14-3 last year, earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC and made it to the conference title game. Their defense easily led the league in sacks (68) and ranked second in yards and third in scoring. Cooper played the unit’s ninth-most snaps (682, good for a 60.68% share) and posted 50 tackles, 16 QB hits and eight sacks. The 28-year-old also chipped in a sack in the AFC championship, but the Broncos were unable to overcome the absence of injured quarterback Bo Nix in a 10-7 loss to the Patriots.
As Denver tries to get over the hump this year, it will again count on Cooper to join two-time Pro Bowler Nik Bonitto as its top edge rushers. However, the Broncos may go some portion of the season without Cooper if his arrest leads to a suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
