Sean Payton “proud” of the work Jonathon Cooper has been putting in

Broncos head coach Sean Payton took the podium for the first time at 2026 training camp and addressed the legal situation surrounding outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper head-on.

Cooper, who was arrested twice in June on domestic violence charges involving his then-girlfriend, reported to camp alongside the rest of Denver’s veterans and practiced on Wednesday. His arraignment date is set for August 31, where he will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty to four charges, including a felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation.

Payton struck a measured tone when asked about how the organization is handling the situation.

“We’re staying course with league protocol, club protocol, relative to what we’re advised to do,” Payton said. “He’s been fantastic working away from the building, and we’ll continue to do that, and monitor it. We’re supportive, and yet, very much aware of the seriousness of these types of things.”

Sean Payton says the Broncos are following league protocol and remain supportive of Jonathon Cooper amid his ongoing legal situation. pic.twitter.com/Q3ETKYkGfQ

— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) July 29, 2026

The head coach revealed that he, owner Greg Penner and general manager George Paton all met with Cooper one-on-one during his time away from the team. Cooper was excused from mandatory minicamp in June following his second arrest.

“Greg, George, myself, I mean there was a lot of time spent with him in what was going to be the next 40-some days,” Payton said.

Cooper went above and beyond what was asked of him. Despite only being mandated to complete 30 days of therapy, the 28-year-old completed 40 days of in-person counseling, therapy, and mental health and overall wellness programming.

Payton acknowledged the difficulty of the process while expressing support.

“We’re proud of the work he did. This last, call it month-and-a-half, wasn’t easy. And it’ll continue to be a challenge and we’ll see where it goes,” Payton said. “But fully supportive of him right now as we gather all the information, then we go from there.”

Cooper appeared in all 17 regular-season games last season, recording eight sacks and 50 total tackles, his third consecutive season with eight or more sacks. On the field, his value to Denver’s defense is clear. Off the field, his future remains uncertain.

As of today, the NFL has not placed Cooper on the Commissioner Exempt List, leaving the door open for the Ohio State product to continue practicing and potentially play through the preseason and into the regular season.

Cooper is expected to continue participating in camp activities until his August 31 arraignment, just two weeks before the Broncos open the regular season at Kansas City on Monday Night Football.

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