The Denver Broncos signed outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper to a four-year contract extension over the weekend, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The four-year deal is worth $60 million and includes $33 million in guarantees, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. He’ll earn an average of $15 million per season.
The news broke shortly after the Broncos agreed to trade fellow pass rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.
Browning and Cooper were teammates at Ohio State and they were both picked by Denver in the 2021 NFL draft — Browning in the third round and Cooper in the seventh round.
Browning struggled with injuries during his time with the Broncos and totaled 9.5 sacks in 43 career games, with no sacks this season. Cooper exceeded expectations and recorded 18.5 sacks in 56 games, including 5.5 sacks through nine starts this season.
With both players scheduled to become free agents in 2025, it’s no surprise that Denver opted to keep Cooper. He’s been healthier and more productive than his counterpart since they entered the league four years ago.
Browning will get a fresh start in Arizona and the Broncos will move forward with Cooper, Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman. Drew Sanders could also return from the physically unable to perform list later this season.
Denver still has plenty of depth at the position, and the team’s top pass rusher is now locked up through the 2028 season.
