Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper and the Denver Broncos have agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $60 million, including $33 million in guarantees. The former Ohio State standout signed the deal at a hotel in Maryland.
While the breakdown for Cooper’s deal remains a mystery, it’s a well-deserved contract for the 2021 seventh-round selection. Through nine games this season, Cooper already has 5.5 sacks, 35 tackles, and 11 quarterback hits. Barring any injury, he has eight games left to break his career highs in sacks (8.5), tackles (72), and QB hits (13), all established last year.
Meanwhile, his efforts helped the Broncos earn a 5-4 record through the first half of their 2024 campaign. Cooper had two sacks during the Broncos’ three-game winning streak from Weeks 3 to 5 and added another in Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers. He also tallied two sacks in their season opener versus the Seattle Seahawks.
COOOOOP is here to stay. @JonathonCooper7 x #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/kbxu52SPaa
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 4, 2024
Cooper’s output helped the Broncos rank second in sacks (31), four fewer than league-leading New York Giants. The Broncos are also ranked sixth in total yards allowed (295.2), sixth in passing yards allowed (186.6), ninth in rushing yards allowed (108.7), and third in points allowed (17.9) per game this season.
Cooper has 193 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 38 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and an interception in 56 career games. Meanwhile, the 2024 season marks the final year in Cooper’s four-year, $3.58 million contract. Conversely, his $60 million extension will expire at the end of the 2028 season, when he will be 30.
-Lance Fernandez