Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges

Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty Monday morning to misdemeanor domestic violence and criminal mischief charges stemming from his arrest last week in Douglas County.

Cooper, 28, appeared in Judge Kelly Waidler’s courtroom around 9:45 a.m. alongside attorney Harvey Steinberg, who frequently represents Denver athletes. A motions hearing has been scheduled for July 6, with a jury trial set to begin July 22 — just days before the Broncos are expected to open training camp.

Steinberg told the court the defense does not intend to file a motion to dismiss and pushed for the earliest possible trial date to avoid conflict with Cooper’s training camp obligations, according to The Denver Post.

Broncos director of player development Ray Jackson and former outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite were in the courtroom to support Cooper. The pass rusher declined to comment following the hearing, per 9News.

Cooper was arrested by Parker police at 11:16 p.m. Thursday after an argument with his girlfriend over cellphones that turned physical. Both were taken into custody, and the phones were damaged during the altercation. Cooper was released later Friday on a personal recognizance bond. His girlfriend, who faces her own misdemeanor domestic violence and petty criminal mischief charges, has a separate court date scheduled later this week.

In separate affidavits, the two offered conflicting accounts of the incident. Cooper told police his girlfriend had accused him of infidelity, took his phone and threw it across the room. He said he grabbed her by the upper arm to retrieve the phone and “braced his neck against her neck” during the struggle. Cooper also acknowledged biting the phone and causing significant damage.

His girlfriend told a separate officer that Cooper grabbed her neck, pinned her against a wall, slammed her to the ground multiple times and struck the wall near her head. Officers noted in the affidavits that her visible injuries did not match the severity of what she described. A Parker officer wrote there was “no probable cause for harassment or assault charges given conflicting statements and lack of specific evidence.”

Over the weekend, Cooper addressed the arrest on Instagram, posting a Bible verse along with a written apology.

“I apologize to my family, to my friends and my community … and so many others,” Cooper wrote. “I realize posting a bible (quote) after something very serious happens does not just mean everything is okay.”

The Broncos said Friday they were “aware of the matter and gathering more information.” The NFL, which could discipline Cooper under its personal conduct policy, said it has been in contact with the team.

Cooper, a seventh-round pick in 2021, is entering his sixth season in Denver. He finished second on the team with eight sacks last season as Denver’s defense broke the franchise’s single-season sack record with 68. He signed a four-year, $60 million extension in 2024 and has participated in the team’s offseason program, including last Thursday’s OTA practice — hours before his arrest.

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