Full Breakdown
Denver Broncos Linebacker Jonathon Cooper Charged with Felony Assault Amidst Second Arrest
6/12/2026, 9:52:14 PM
Escalating Criminal Charges and Legal Timeline
- June 4, 2026 – Parker Police arrest Cooper and his girlfriend on suspicion of domestic violence and criminal mischief. He is released on a personal recognizance bond on June 5.
- June 8 – Cooper pleads not guilty to the original misdemeanor domestic-violence charge in Douglas County.
- June 10 – Court records add a felony charge of second-degree assault by strangulation and a misdemeanor third-degree assault charge stemming from the June 4 incident.
- June 11 – Cooper is arrested again, this time on misdemeanor violations of a protection order and harassment for repeated telephone calls.
- June 12 – He appears in court on the new charges.
- July 6 – Motions hearing scheduled; a jury trial is set for July 22. Training camp is slated to begin in late July.
Specific Charges and Allegations
- Felony: Second-degree assault by strangulation.
- Misdemeanors: Third-degree assault (recklessly causing bodily injury), domestic violence, harassment (repeated calls), and violation of a protection order.
- The June 4 affidavit states Cooper “braced his neck against her neck” after his girlfriend seized his phone; the girlfriend’s affidavit alleges Cooper “grabbed her by the neck, held her against the wall for about a minute, picked her up and threw her on the ground three times, and punched the wall next to her head.”
Cooper’s NFL Profile and Contract
- Seventh-round pick from Ohio State in the 2021 NFL Draft; entering his sixth season.
- Recorded eight sacks in the 2025 season, ranking second on the Broncos and contributing to a franchise-record 68 sacks.
- Signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension in November 2024.
Official Responses from the Broncos, Coach, and NFL
- The Broncos issued a statement expressing disappointment and indicating an ongoing review of the matter.
- Head coach Sean Payton said the team had a “long visit” with Cooper and that “the league obviously will be very much involved… We’ll stay as informed as possible and follow the league’s guidelines.”
- The NFL confirmed contact with the Broncos and noted that Cooper could face discipline under its personal-conduct policy.
- Cooper’s attorney Harvey Steinberg indicated the defense will not move to dismiss the charges and has requested an early trial date to avoid missing training-camp workouts.
Conflicting Affidavits and Evidentiary Gaps
- Cooper’s affidavit describes a brief neck-brace while retrieving his phone; the girlfriend’s account describes prolonged neck restraint and multiple throws.
- A police officer noted that marks on the girlfriend’s neck and body “were not consistent with an assault.”
- A Parker policeman wrote that “as of this report there is no probable cause for harassment or assault charges given conflicting statements and lack of specific evidence.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think the league has done a good job of kind of coming in and really taking over that responsibility (of disciplinary action),” — Sean Payton, Broncos head coach (June 11)
- “I apologize to my family to my friends and my community ... And so many others.” — Jonathon Cooper, Instagram post (June 10)
- “We are disappointed to learn of Jonathon Cooper’s arrest on Thursday and continue to review this matter,” — Denver Broncos, official statement
Potential Disciplinary Impact and Upcoming Proceedings
Cooper remains eligible for the Broncos’ offseason program and has attended OTA practice, but the pending felony charge and additional misdemeanors expose him to possible NFL suspension under the personal-conduct policy. The July 6 motions hearing and the July 22 trial date will determine whether he faces conviction, which could affect his availability for training camp and the 2026 season.
