Jonathon Cooper removed from commissioner exempt list

Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper Broncos outside linebacker  is eligible to play again. The NFL has removed him from the Commissioner Exempt List, and his assault trial has been pushed back to March.

The league announced the decision in a statement:

“The National Football League today removed Jonathon Cooper of the Denver Broncos from the Commissioner Exempt List. He will be eligible to play in the Broncos’ Week 7 game on Oct. 25 after missing six games.

The NFL initiated an investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy following Cooper’s arrests in June. The league’s review remains ongoing and is not affected by this change to Cooper’s roster status.

Cooper was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List on Aug. 30.”

The move came days after Cooper’s latest court appearance. On Monday, he appeared at a motions hearing in Douglas County Court, where a judge set his trial for March 2-4, 2027. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19 and another motions hearing for Feb. 23. The trial had originally been set for mid-November. The judge also ruled that Jonathon Cooper can travel to road games once he is off the exempt list. Denver’s next game is on the road.

Jonathon Cooper faces five charges, including felony second-degree assault by strangulation. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in August. The case comes from two arrests in June involving his girlfriend at the time. Parker police first arrested him on June 4 after an argument and physical struggle over cell phones. Prosecutors later added the felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor third-degree assault charge. Cooper was arrested again a week later on charges of harassment and violating a protection order.

Jonathon Cooper completed 40 days of in-patient therapy in June and July before he reported to training camp. He played for Denver in the preseason before the league placed him on the exempt list on Aug. 30.

On the field, Jonathon Cooper had been one of the Broncos’ most productive pass rushers. The 2021 seventh-round pick from Ohio State has recorded at least eight sacks in each of the last three seasons. That includes a career-high 10.5 in 2024, the year he signed a four-year extension worth up to $60 million.

The new trial date also matters for his contract. March 15, the fifth day of the 2027 league year, is when $3 million of his salary becomes fully guaranteed. That guarantee would be voided if he were suspended. The Broncos will have a short window after the trial to decide on his roster status.

For now, Jonathon Cooper can rejoin a 4-2 team coming off its overtime win over Seattle. The Broncos visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 25.

–  Update –

Jonathon Cooper posted a message on social media:

“Playing in the NFL and representing the Denver Broncos is a privilege I do not take for granted. I’m grateful to ownership, my teammates, coaches and everyone in the organization for their support as well as Commissioner Goodell and the league for the opportunity to return.

Over the last several months, I’ve spent a lot of time working to better myself. That work will continue.

My focus is on being the best person, father, teammate and member of this community I can be. I will show that
commitment through my actions every day.

praise God-thank you Jesus”

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