Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper Arrested Again as Felony Strangulation Charge Surfaces. His Career Is Now in Real Danger
Denver Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper is in serious trouble. Prosecutors added a felony second-degree assault by strangulation charge plus a misdemeanor third-degree assault charge stemming from his June 4 domestic violence arrest. He was then arrested a second time Thursday night for allegedly violating the protection order his girlfriend had filed against him.
The new affidavit is brutal. Cooper’s girlfriend told Parker, Colorado police he “grabbed her by her neck with one hand and lifted her feet off the ground” and held her against a wall for “approximately one minute.” Hours after the protection order was issued, Cooper allegedly sent 20 messages, made two phone calls, and showed up at her apartment knocking on the door before leaving when she called 911.
This isn’t just a public relations problem anymore. This is a felony that lands a guy in prison.
The Broncos Have a Decision to Make
Sean Payton and George Paton have been quiet, which is the right move legally. But the football decision is coming. Cooper signed a four-year extension last summer worth real money, and the Broncos built part of their pass rush plan around him. They cannot bank on him being available in 2026.
The trial is scheduled for late July. Even if he beats the felony charge, the NFL personal conduct policy almost certainly hits him with a long suspension. We’re talking six games minimum, and a number closer to a full season is on the table given the violation of the protection order.
The League Has Tightened Up Here
The NFL has been consistently aggressive on domestic violence cases over the last decade. Even players who avoided convictions have eaten meaningful suspensions when the underlying evidence painted a clear picture. The strangulation allegation and the protection order violation are a damning combination.
If Roger Goodell goes easy on this case, the union will be the only group not howling. The league has spent ten years trying to convince fans it takes these incidents seriously. Cooper’s case is the kind of high-profile test that forces them to act.
What Happens to His Career
Cooper is 27 and just finished his best season as a pro with double-digit sacks. He should be on the brink of his prime. Instead, he might be looking at jail time, a long NFL suspension, and possibly the end of his run in Denver. If convicted of the felony, the Broncos can void his guarantees and walk away.
Even if he beats it, his name is now permanently attached to a strangulation charge. Teams that re-sign players with that history have to answer for it publicly. Some won’t bother.
The Reality Check
Forget the football for a moment. A man allegedly choked a woman, got arrested, got a protection order against him, and then violated it the same week. That’s the story here. The football consequences are a footnote next to what the actual victim has lived through.
The Broncos will hold their leverage and let the legal process play out. Smart move. But don’t be surprised when Cooper isn’t on the roster by training camp. The risk of carrying him outweighs whatever sacks he might deliver this fall.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
