Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges on Monday, sending the case toward a likely trial set for July.
Cooper was arrested and jailed in Douglas County (Colo.) early last Friday after police responded to a call and arrested the 28-year-old at 11:16 p.m. Thursday.
Arrest records indicate Cooper and his girlfriend, also arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence with an additional charge of petty criminal mischief, were involved in a disagreement over allegations of infidelity. In signed affidavits, the parties gave much different accounts of the events that caused the argument to escalate.
Cooper posted an apology to social media on Saturday.
“I apologize to my family to my friends and my community … And so many others,” it read.
A pre-trial hearing was set for July 6 during Cooper’s court appearance on Monday. A trial date of July 22 falls within a week of the likely start of Denver’s training camp.
His attorney requested an expedited trial to avoid any conflict with training camp or the Broncos’ preseason schedule.
Cooper has started every game in each of the past three seasons for Denver and has played in 81 games (65 starts) since the Broncos drafted him in the seventh round in 2021.
Cooper recorded eight sacks, 50 tackles and 16 quarterback hits last season. He has 31.5 sacks, 63 QB hits, 266 tackles, three fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and one interception.
He signed a four-year, $60 million extension in November 2024.
