The Denver Broncos have excused outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper from their mandatory mini-camp after he was arrested twice in a week on multiple domestic violence charges, including one felony charge, Yankee Scores reports
Per ESPN, Cooper and his girlfriend were arrested June 4 in Parker, Colorado after an alleged domestic dispute involving a cell phone. He was subsequently re-arrested on 12 June for allegedly violating a protection order by continuing to contact his girlfriend through texts, calls and by visiting her home.
According to an affidavit, Cooper allegedly grabbed his girlfriend by the neck, lifted her off the ground, wouldn’t let her leave and threw her to the ground multiple times. He was subsequently charged with another felony, second degree assault by strangulation.
Broncos excuse Jonathon Cooper from minicamp after two arrests in one week: ‘Got to work on himself’ https://t.co/jMWq211Ze3 pic.twitter.com/k9C1kta79s
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) June 16, 2026
Cooper pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday and a jury trial is set for July 22 — just before the Broncos open training camp.
“I think it’s something we’re taking very seriously as an organization,” head coach Sean Payton said speaking on his absence . “He’s working on himself, obviously, he’s got to work on himself,” Payton said. “Clearly from an ownership standpoint, from a head coach, from an organisational standpoint, there is a bar we have, and an expectation we have, that is very high. We’ll continue to gather information.”
Broncos coach Sean Payton, on Jonathon Cooper being excused from minicamp: “Obviously, he’s got to work on himself, and 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,… pic.twitter.com/7ThezTLeLS
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) June 16, 2026
Cooper’s long-term future with the team is unclear. The NFL said it was aware of the situation and that the linebacker could be suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
The timing is a huge blow to Denver. Over the last three seasons, the 28-year-old had become an important part of the defense, tallying 27 sacks and 180 combined tackles, and was projected to be a starter entering 2026.
