RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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News is flying left and right out of the NFL . The latest update in the league will make Denver Broncos fans want to look away.
Reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday, Broncos’ stud outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper has been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, putting his status in question. For context, the commissioner’s exempt list is where a player is put on paid leave. Anyone put on the list isn’t allowed to play or practice with the team.
MORE: Green Bay Packers face murky RB situation with Josh Jacobs’ new status
Only Roger Goodell is allowed to add players to this list, and he alone decides when a player can become active on a team’s roster again. This list is specific to very particular situations. Cooper’s offseason actions seemingly put Goodell in a position where no other outcome was feasible.
Cooper was arrested twice in June of 2026, both times involving him and his girlfriend. The first arrest was for misdemeanor mischief and a domestic violence-related charge.
Prosecutors added a felony charge of second-degree assault via strangulation and a third-degree assault, based on medical evaluations of the initial dispute.
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Cooper’s second arrest happened less than a week later. After violating a protection order and contacting his girlfriend by texting and calling her, Cooper faced another set of charges. Those charges were misdemeanor harassment and protection order violation.
The NFL has long been stern when it comes to domestic violence issues involving active players. There have been situations where players have even gotten their contracts terminated entirely by teams.
That won’t be the case with Cooper, but he will rightfully miss time this season. Denver’s defense loses a certified playmaker because of it.
What Denver’s losing in Jonathon Cooper
Aug 1, 2026; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) during training camp at Broncos Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) In 2025, the Broncos were the best pass rush in the NFL. Denver ranked first in sacks with 79, and second in pressure rate, ending the year at 42.1%. Cooper was a huge part of both stellar statistical achievements.
Posting 50 tackles, 8 sacks, and a career-high 4 passes defended, Cooper continues to be a pivotal piece of a Denver defense that is a consensus top-five unit in the league.
Cooper was second on the Broncos in sacks, trailing only Nik Bonitto, who was a DPOY finalist in 2025. Now with Cooper out indefinitely, Bonitto faces more pressure to carry the pass rush and disrupt opposing backfields.
Most of the attention will be on Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs making this list as well. That being said, the Broncos losing Cooper is just as impactful.
Denver faces a strong schedule after winning the AFC West. Furthermore, Denver’s first six games of the year are all against 2025 playoff teams, half of which are on the road. Against high-powered offenses like the Jaguars, Seahawks, and Chargers, an elite pass rush can swing those games.
Denver will have to survive a brutal early portion of the season without one of their best players, regardless of position.
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