Denver Broncos star pass rusher Jonathon Cooper is facing legal troubles just as the NFL season approaches, but in a bizarre twist, both parties involved were arrested. Cooper, the team's $60 million edge rusher, was taken into custody Thursday night on domestic violence and criminal mischief charges, and his girlfriend was arrested on the exact same charges.
Details of the Arrest
Cooper, 28, was arrested by the Parker Police Department at 11:16 p.m. Thursday and booked into the Douglas County jail at 2:38 a.m. Friday. He faces two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief. Bond was set at $1,000, and a follow-up hearing is scheduled for Monday, when he is expected to enter a plea. After a Friday morning court appearance, he was released on a personal recognizance bond.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by 9News, the incident began over a cell phone. Cooper's girlfriend allegedly tried to grab his phone due to cheating accusations, and Cooper attempted to keep it. The situation escalated, leading to both individuals being booked into the same jail on matching charges of domestic violence and criminal mischief.
Potential NFL Consequences
This legal issue is more than a public relations headache for Cooper. The NFL's personal conduct policy imposes strict penalties for domestic violence, including multi-game suspensions, regardless of the outcome of the court case. For Cooper, the timing is particularly unfortunate. He signed a four-year, $60 million extension with the Broncos in November 2024, making him one of the team's highest-paid defenders. Last season, he recorded 8 sacks and 50 combined tackles, playing a key role in the defense that led the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game. He is considered a cornerstone of the team, not just a depth player.
Team Response
The Broncos released a brief statement: "We are aware of the matter and gathering more information." This indicates that the team is consulting legal counsel and waiting to assess the severity of the situation before taking further action.
Cooper, a seventh-round pick out of Ohio State in 2021, has been one of the great draft steals of his class. Five years later, he has become the face of Denver's pass rush. Now, he faces a conduct investigation from the league, a court date on Monday, and offseason headlines that no franchise wants in June. All of this stemmed from a dispute over a cell phone.
