Broncos edge rusher Jonathon Cooper might not face trial on charges until next year

The Broncos edge rusher's additional charges changed the timeline for his trial date.

Jul 10, 2026, 7:05 PM Updated: 7:07 pm

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At one point, Broncos edge rusher Jonathon Cooper was due to stand trial on charges related to a June 4 domestic incident on July 22, which would be two days before the first training-camp practice that is open to public observation.

But that was before four additional charges were added to his ledger, resulting in a second arrest on June 11.

Cooper faces a July 24 date in Douglas County Court for a deposition. But as KUSA-Ch. 9’s Mike Klis noted on KKFN-104.3’s afternoon-drive show, his actual trial might be a while in coming.

“The thing about Cooper that’s interesting, this thing was originally gonna be resolved with a trial on July 22, but because they upcharged him — the district attorney from Douglas County upcharged him to a felony assault — that trial is not happening now. And they’re gonna meet on July 24, and they’re not even gonna determine a trial then,” Klis said on “The Drive.”

“So, I don’t think Cooper’s case is gonna be heard this year. I don’t think it’s gonna be heard ’til next year.”

That puts the Broncos in an interesting spot.

“So, the Broncos — (owner) Greg Penner and (head coach) Sean Payton and (general manager) George Paton — have a decision to do,” Klis continued. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Jonathon Cooper’s out there for Day One of training camp, and he’s with them this year.”

CAP IMPLICATIONS FOR THE BRONCOS IF THEY PART WAYS WITH COOPER

Making the situation interesting for the team is the ample depth it has at edge rusher. Jonah Elliss is considered to have starting ability. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has said the same of second-year player Que Robinson. And Dondrea Tillman played so well last year in his rotational role — improving in coverage in particular — that Robinson infrequently played despite his progress on the practice field.

So, the Broncos have options for life without Cooper. Per terms of his contract as posted on Over the Cap, the Broncos could cut Cooper without increasing his cap figure for 2026, with $5.78 million of dead money this year and $4.055 million on next year’s cap.

The Broncos could also opt to release Cooper for cause, but if they do that before his trial — or without a conviction after the trial — the matter could end up in arbitration.

“They could cut him and argue for cause,” Klis said. “I’m sure his representation would dispute whether it’s for cause or not. But, yes, they could do that and they could have a pretty good case. The Lions, they went that route with Terrion Arnold, even though his case hasn’t been heard, even though he hasn’t been deemed guilty, they cut him.”

“… If it goes through the court system, and Cooper is presumed innocent until proven guilty, then he would have a case to collect his money,” Klis continued. “But money aside, that’s a big decision — probably that Greg Penner has to make, moreso than the football people.”