The Broncos have shown a willingness to take care of their own.
Ahead of the 2024 season, the organization signed cornerback Pat Surtain II and right guard Quinn Meinerz to large contract extensions, making them two of the highest-paid players at their respective positions. So, who should be the next Denver player to land a long-term deal?
Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is certainly making a case. Playing one of the premier positions on the field, his ascent over the past two seasons is incentivizing the Broncos to lock him up before he hits free agency in March 2025.
After playing a reserved role during his first two seasons, Cooper broke out following the departure of veterans Randy Gregory and Frank Clark in 2023. He finished with a team-best 8.5 sacks and 55 quarterback pressures, according to Next Gen Stats.
Through seven games, Cooper has been even better this season as a focal point of one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the league. Cooper sacked quarterback Geno Smith on the first defensive play of the year, and he hasn’t let up since.
The 26-year-old is second on the team in sacks (4.5) and pressures (22) while recording at least four pressures in four games. The Broncos have generated the second-highest pressure rate (41%) and the third-highest sack rate (9.7%) in the league.
But Cooper is more than just an effective pass rusher. He’s impacted Denver’s run defense, too. Cooper, a seventh-round pick, has 11 run stops — tied for third among edge rushers, according to Pro Football Focus.
“(Cooper is) a downhill straight-line (type of player),” head coach Sean Payton said. “That becomes a load if you’re a tight end or even a tackle. You feel a strong presence. He’s certainly one of our edge players that we rely on. Not only for pressure in the passing game but also setting an edge in the run game.”
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph called Cooper the type of player who allows a coach to change the culture because of his toughness and attitude toward the game. Joseph added that Cooper’s energy is contagious and pushes players to match it.
The former Ohio State pass rusher and teammate Baron Browning are two of 14 players on the active roster due to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. If the Broncos believe Cooper can be a foundational piece in this new era, extending him should be one of their priorities next spring.
This season, he has a cap hit of $3.14 million, according to Over The Cap. If Cooper’s strong play continues for the rest of the season, he could be in line for a significant payday. According to Over the Cap’s Valuation metric, which measures contract value with on-field production, Cooper has a value of $19.65 million per year.
He could command a similar deal to Eagles edge rusher Bryce Huff, who signed a three-year, $51 million deal ($34 million guaranteed) after registering 10 sacks for the Jets in 2023. Almost similar to Cooper, Huff was an undrafted free agent who blossomed last year. He has an average annual salary of $17.03 million and has four void years to his deal.
Financially, Denver should be in a better position to extend Cooper. After the Broncos ate up $53 million of dead money in quarterback Russell Wilson’s contract this year, they are projected to have $70.9 million in cap space in 2025, according to Over The Cap.
However, the Broncos might not be able to keep Browning and Cooper, which could be another reason they took edge rusher Jonah Elliss in the third round of April’s draft. If Denver happens to face that dilemma, Cooper may have the edge due to his ability to stay on the field. Browning played in his third game of the season on Thursday against New Orleans. He missed the previous four games while on injured reserve with a foot injury and missed seven games during the 2023 season.
Denver’s defense has been the bright spot of the season. After being one of the NFL’s worst units last season, it is now one of the best. Cooper has been a significant part of that success as a ferocious defender up front.
His stock seems to be rising, and it might be wise for the organization to secure Cooper’s long-term services sooner rather than later.
“(Cooper) has been a joy to coach the last two years,” Joseph said. “His energy, toughness and focus (are) always on point.”
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