Full Breakdown
Broncos Oustline LB Jonathon Cooper Excused from Minicamp Amid Domestic-Violence Arrests
6/17/2026, 12:52:24 PM
Incident Overview
Denver’s outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was excused from the team’s mandatory minicamp after being arrested twice within a seven-day period on multiple domestic-violence charges, including a felony second-degree assault by strangulation. The arrests stem from a June 3–4 dispute with his then-girlfriend at Cooper’s Parker, Colorado home. The Broncos, head coach Sean Payton, and the NFL have all indicated that the matter is under active review.
Timeline
- June 3 – Initial argument at Cooper’s residence; both parties later arrested on criminal-mischief charges.
- June 4 – First arrest by Parker police; charges later upgraded to felony second-degree assault.
- June 5 – Cooper released on personal-recognition bond; ordered to obey a “no-contact” protection order.
- June 11 – Second arrest for alleged violation of the protection order and harassment after Cooper allegedly sent texts and appeared outside the woman’s Centennial apartment.
- June 12 – Broncos hold mandatory minicamp; Cooper is excused.
- June 14 – Broncos issue statement acknowledging the matter and that they are gathering information.
- June 22 – NFL confirms it is monitoring the case under its personal-conduct policy.
- July 6 & July 14 – Scheduled motions hearings for each arrest.
- July 22 – Jury trial set to begin.
Data & Statistics
- Charges: felony second-degree assault by strangulation; third-degree assault (recklessly causing injury); misdemeanor harassment; misdemeanor violation of a protection order; earlier misdemeanor domestic-violence and criminal-mischief counts.
- Bond: personal-recognition bond (no monetary amount disclosed).
- Contract: Cooper signed a four-year, $60 million extension in 2024 and recorded eight sacks in the 2025 season.
Official Statements & Responses
The Broncos released a brief statement confirming awareness of the arrests and that they are “gathering more information.” Head coach Sean Payton emphasized that the organization is “in tune with the league office, local authorities, and we’ve had several meetings,” noting a high internal standard for conduct. The NFL’s spokesperson said the league is monitoring the case and that any disciplinary action would follow its personal-conduct policy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police affidavits contain divergent accounts: Cooper’s statement claims he “braced his neck against her neck” while retrieving his phone; the woman’s affidavit alleges a minute-long neck hold, multiple throws, and punches. A Parker officer noted that observed neck marks “were not consistent with an assault,” and another officer recorded “no probable cause for harassment or assault charges given conflicting statements and lack of specific evidence.” No definitive forensic evidence has been publicly released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He's taking this time, obviously, he's got to work on himself,” — Sean Payton, Head Coach, Denver Broncos
- “The club is very much in tuned to the league office, local authorities here, and we've had several meetings.” — Sean Payton
- “we are aware of the matter and gathering more information.” — Denver Broncos official statement
- “I don’t think it’s my place to comment anymore right now, because obviously it’s a pretty significant issue,” — Sean Payton
- “I apologize to my family to my friends and my community ... And so many others.” — Jonathon Cooper, Instagram post
What’s Next
Cooper must appear for motions hearings on July 6 and July 14, with a jury trial slated for July 22. The Broncos will begin training camp in the last week of July, and the NFL will determine any league-imposed suspension after the legal process concludes. The outcome will affect Cooper’s roster status and could set a precedent for handling domestic-violence allegations within the league.
