Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper's legal situation could now extend into training camp after the court scheduled a key hearing for late July.

According to an X post by Denver Post reporter Luca Evans, Cooper has a disposition hearing scheduled for July 24, just four days before training camp.

"A reminder: #Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper has his disposition hearing scheduled July 24. Veterans are scheduled to report for training camp July 28,” Luca Evans’ X post read on June 22. “If Cooper's case proceeds to a trial, it will almost certainly proceed into training camp."

The timing has sparked questions for both Cooper and the Broncos. After his second arrest, the court eliminated Cooper's July 22-23 jury trial date. Furthermore, the DA consolidated the charges into a felony a****** case.

Any new trial date would come after Denver begins training camp. Denver Post's Parker Gabriel observed that Cooper could miss the start of preparations for the 2026 season due to the hearing and subsequent trial dates. 

The Broncos excused Cooper from mandatory minicamp after his second arrest. Head coach Sean Payton later addressed the situation and made it clear the organization was taking the matter seriously.

"The club is very much in tuned to the league office, local authorities here, and we've had several meetings," Payton said, as reported by Broncos Wire. "Clearly, from an ownership standpoint, head coach, organizationally… there's a bar that we have, and an expectation that we have, that's very high."

Payton added that the franchise is trying to gather information before taking any major steps. His comments also suggested Cooper's future with the team remains uncertain.

While the legal process continues, Cooper could also face discipline from the NFL.

Cooper Facing Additional Charges and Possible League Discipline

Cooper's latest arrest came after authorities accused him of violating a protection order that was issued following his initial arrest on June 4.

According to court records, Cooper faces charges of harassment from repeated phone calls and violating a protection order, as reported by the NFL. 

The case took a turn for the worse after prosecutors added a felony charge of second-degree a****** and a third-degree a****** charge tied to the original incident.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The AP that the league continues to review the matter under its Personal Conduct Policy.

The Broncos also released a statement after Cooper's second arrest. "We are disappointed to learn of Jonathon Cooper's arrest on Thursday and continue to review this matter," the team said.

Cooper later apologized on social media across multiple posts, insisting that his current predicament was the result of unfortunate circumstances, rather than a reflection of his personality.

"I apologize to my family and my friends and my community... And so many others," Cooper wrote.

A seventh-round pick out of Ohio State in 2021, Cooper has become one of Denver's top pass rushers. He signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $60 million in 2024.

With training camp set to begin on July 28, the Broncos are still waiting for clarity on Cooper's legal case.

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Written by

Evince Das