Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper has recorded a sack in three straight games and he now leads the team with 8.5 sacks in 2023.
With 1.5 more sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Cooper would become the team’s first pass rusher to record 10 sacks since 2018.
“I feel like with my teammates and coaches believing in me and the type of player that I am — I feel like my goal for this season was eight or ten,” Cooper said. “I’m trying to get to double digits, trying to get to that ten mark. I’m going to keep rocking. Keep going. I’m really happy for myself but I’m more happy with these wins that we’re getting. Any way I can help the team win is what I’m trying to do.”
The Broncos’ most recent pass rushers to finish a season with double-digit sacks were Elvis Dumervil (2007, 2009, 2012), Von Miller (2011-12; 2014-18), Shaun Phillips (2013) DeMarcus Ware (2014) and Bradley Chubb (2018). That’s impressive company that Cooper hopes to join.
Fellow pass rusher Nik Bonitto is three sacks away from reaching 10. Both have a shot at double digits, but Cooper’s chances are higher.
“He’s playing well, and it’s really important to him,” coach Sean Payton said of Cooper’s quest for ten sacks.
Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell has been sacked 22 times this season in nine starts, an average of 2.44 sacks per contest. Cooper will aim to add to that total on Sunday.
