Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper and his girlfriend were both arrested early Friday morning in Douglas County, Colorado, following a domestic dispute at Cooper's residence. Both individuals were taken into custody on suspicion of two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief, according to Douglas County jail records and an arrest affidavit.
Allegations Detailed in Douglas County Affidavit
The altercation stemmed from allegations of infidelity raised during a confrontation between Cooper and his girlfriend, who have been in an on-and-off relationship for several years. According to details from a probable cause affidavit, the argument escalated when the woman seized Cooper's mobile phone, threw it against a wall, and subsequently regained control of the device to inspect its contents. A physical struggle over the phone ensued before Cooper managed to retrieve it.
Court documents state that Cooper then demanded the woman leave his home, threatening to destroy her cell phone if she refused. When she remained inside the residence, Cooper allegedly bit down on her iPhone, fracturing the screen.
Following his arrest, the 28-year-old pass rusher appeared in a Douglas County courtroom at 9:45 a.m. Friday. The court granted Cooper release on a personal recognizance bond. A follow-up court hearing is scheduled for Monday, at which point Cooper is expected to enter a formal plea.
On-Field Role and Pending Proceedings
The legal situation involves one of Denver's most consistent defensive contributors. Drafted in the seventh round out of Ohio State, Cooper has spent the entirety of his five-year NFL career with the Broncos. Across 81 career appearances, he has accumulated 266 total tackles and 31.5 sacks. During 17 games last season, Cooper produced 50 tackles and eight sacks, featuring in Denver's postseason campaign that extended into an AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Buffalo Bills on January 17, 2026.
Denver rewarded Cooper's development in November 2024 by signing him to a four-year, $60 million contract extension. Neither the Broncos organization nor Cooper's agency immediately responded to requests for comment following Friday's court appearance. Monday's scheduled hearing in Douglas County will mark the next step in the formal legal process.
Sources
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- bbc.co.uk original
- techradar.com original
- foxnews.com original
