Broncos sign OLB Jonathon Cooper to a four-year extension

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The Broncos have agreed to a long-term contract with one of their top rushers.

Denver has signed outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper to a four-year extension through 2028, the team announced Monday.

Cooper, who was set to become a free agent after the season, ranks second on the Broncos in sacks and is on pace to have the first double-digit sack season of his career.

Cooper, a 2021 seventh-round pick, has carved out an important role in Denver's starting defense. The Ohio State product moved into a starting role midway through the 2022 season and has been a mainstay of the Broncos' defensive front ever since.

As of the start of 2023, Cooper is one of six defensive backs to record at least 100 tackles and 14 sacks, along with Maxx Crosby, Danielle Hunter, TJ Watt, Khalil Mack and Harold Landry III.

Cooper started 35 of the Broncos' last 36 games and recorded 193 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 38 quarterback hits, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, one interception and one defensive touchdown to start his career.

With another 1.5 sacks this year, Cooper would be the first seventh-round pick since 2010 to record at least 20 sacks in his first four years.

Cooper joins cornerback Pat Surtain II and guard Quinn Meinerz as the third member of the Broncos' 2021 draft class to receive an extension.

The Broncos selected Cooper with the 239th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.